AAP's Lokpal Bill needs to be amended on some core issues: BJP

NEW DELHI: Opposition BJP today raised serious objections against the Delhi Janlokpal Bill saying that it violates a number of constitutional provisions, but insisted that it had not outrightly rejected the bill.

Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, said the BJP strongly advocates that the bill be vastly amended on certain "core issues" to be acceptable by Centre.

"BJP is of the considered opinion that the Delhi Janlokpal Bill - 2015 in the present form violates a number of provisions as enshrined in the Constitution of India and is bad in law on a number of counts," he said.

The party has "serious objections" against several of its provisions including Section 10(2) of the bill giving powers of a police officer to Janlokpal and Section-18 that envisages special courts to hear and decide the cases under Prevention of Corruption Act, Gupta said.

He further said that Section-15 outlining powers of Janlokpal to recommend transfer or suspension of public servant encroached upon the exclusive prerogative of the central government.

"The Bill in the present form envisages to include central government officials over which Delhi Government has no disciplinary jurisdiction... Also, the process of removal of Janlokpal is such that he will be at the mercy of the ruling party," Gupta said

The BJP leader, however, clarified that his party was not outrightly rejecting the bill but advocated amendments.

"Unless amended, it would amount to nothing but clever manipulation on the part of AAP to gain cheap publicity without intention to ensure that Delhiites gets a vibrant and effective Janlokpal Bill," he said.