BJP to oppose Lokpal Bill if introduced in Lok Sabha in present form

NEW DELHI: BJP today said if the Lokpal Bill is introduced in Parliament without incorporating the views of the opposition, the party will oppose it.

Soon after the union Cabinet approved the Lokpal Bill today evening, BJP expressed its unhappiness over the reported provisions in the Bill.

"The government Lokpal Bill seems to be a great betrayal of the people. BJP will oppose an ineffective Lokpal. People are fed-up of corruption. Need of the hour is an effective and strong Lokpal," party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.

The BJP showed its dismay at CBI being kept out of the purview of Lokpal.

"An independent CBI with an independent investigation and prosecution wing should be ensured. CBI has lost all its credibility. Congress has used and abused it to the extent that it is now being called the Congress Bureau of Investigation," Javadekar said.

The main opposition has already made its position on the Lokpal Bill clear through its dissent notes in the Standing Committee on Law and Justice, which was looking into the Bill.

"We stand by our position -- on all 18 important issues in the Bill -- stated through dissent notes to the Lokpal panel. Tomorrow we will see the government draft and if it differs from our position, we will oppose the Bill in Parliament," Javadekar said.

BJP has already taken a decision that it will move amendments on provisions in the Bill which are not agreeable.

A three-line whip has been issued to the BJP MPs to be present when the Lokpal Bill comes up for discussion in Parliament.