The year 2011 ended with a series of political drama climaxing both at the lower and upper house of the parliament. 2011 will be remembered for Anna Hazare and his anti corruption crusade, which looks like it will take a few more cabinet wickets in Anna’s words.
The same political class bragging about parliamentary supremacy forgot to wear the hat of a true parliamentarian when debating about anti corruption bill (Lokpal) at where our constitution was formulated. Lok Sabha was dominated by the Congress power house, where I could only listen ‘ayes have it, ayes have it, the amendments are negative.’ When the bill was finally deferred because the debate did not conclude in the Rajya Sabha, we once again saw politicians passing the buck on most of the contentious issues this country has faced.
Congress did not agree to vote as there were too many amendments to look into. BJP did not agree on the Lok Sabha version of the bill as it was weak on various fronts such as state autonomy on Lokayukta, CBI not being independent, selection and dismissal of core members of anti corruption panel. Left had similar outlook as BJP on the bill, and outright rejected playing into the hands of Anna’s team and its supporters. SP, BSP, RJD wanted more time to think on the bill, and even this time ‘reservations’ was their political agenda. TMC wanted state autonomy in formation of Lokayukta.
The entire country knew the differences political parties had on the Lokpal, and was also reflected in the dissent note, but none decided to sort out the issue outside the parliament, and pass the bill. It is no brainer that we should not position politicians on a higher moral ground, their primary objective is to sustain their political goals, and sadly did not sync with what country wanted on the anti corruption bill.
This is not the first time that a bill did not pass in the Rajya Sabha, but Lokpal bill debate also showed the art of deferring the bill mainly by the Congress. CNN IBN predicted how RJD and Congress would disrupt the session, and not conclude the passage of bill. Congress clearly had no political will to lose the vote, re look at the bill and start afresh. The country surely does not want ‘a’ or ‘b’ version of the bill. But, the Home Minister Chidambaram made it clear how desperate Congress were to keep their bill safe and take up in the Budget session in the year 2012. Surely, 187 amendments cannot be looked into with pressure of time, but the number is exaggerated. TMC minister Derek made it clear that it is only the clause and sub clauses make the number look high, and in fact should not consume much time. Even if the amendments were too many, how could a political party in Government could not extend the session when the entire house wanted to sit through the passage of the bill?
Many would not agree on Anna’s tactics on state elections by agitating against political parties who do not support strong anti corruption law. But, the idea and the effort to challenge the mighty political party are commendable. We might argue on a good alternative political party in the country, but that does not stop people to ask questions, and demand a respectable law by the same political class.
