BJP's Lokpal stand closer to Aruna Roy's; wants PM to be under Lokpal barring his role in security, intelligence and foreign affairs

NEW DELHI: BJP's stand on the Lokpal bill is at variance with the government's version, but closer to the one authored by social activist Aruna Roy. The principal opposition party, which rejected major elements of the bill, wants the Prime Minister, barring his role in areas of national security, intelligence and foreign affairs, to fall within the ambit of the Lokpal.

On the question of inclusion of the judiciary, BJP is of the view that the national judicial commission should deal with the question if its accountability and appointment of judges. Congress and Left too agree that the judiciary should not be under Lokpal. Anna's team, which has been saying that there was rampant corruption in the judiciary as well, now concedes that it could be addressed by a national judicial commission.

BJP is opposed to MPs' actions inside Parliament being included under Lokpal's purview, but is in favour of their behaviour outside the House falling under it. As per the Constitution, behaviour of MPs inside the House is exempt from scrutiny. The Jan Lokpal wants this to be amended to bring MPs' corruption inside the House under Lokpal.

On the contentious point of bringing the lower judiciary under Lokpal, BJP is of the view that this should be addressed by Lokayuktas. The government wants only Class 1 government servants to be included, not junior officers, as it would require 20,000 investigators if every one of the 30 lakh central government servants are included.

As far as the public grievance redressal, as mentioned in the Jan Lokpal Bill, was concerned, BJP is pointing out that such a mechanism was already in place in NDA-ruled states like Bihar and Madhya Pradesh besides Uttar Pradesh.

BJP also differs with the government on the question of selection of Lokpal members, saying it should be 60% from outside government and only 40% from within it, to avoid it becoming a 'sarkari Lokpal'. On removal of Lokpal, BJP favours it being done through "impeachment or by Supreme Court." The bill says that only the government can initiate removal or suspension.

The party wants investigating agencies like the CBI and the Central Vigilance Commission to be autonomous.