Government not serious about debate on Lokpal, Anna's fast: BJP

NEW DELHI: BJP today accused government of not being serious about Lokpal Bill or Anna Hazare's fast as it was pressing for a "casual" debate on such an important issue which could lead to the end of the Gandhian's hunger strike.

"Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal had said the discussion on the Lokpal Bill will only take place on Monday. But to our utter surprise we got a call that Sandeep Dikshit (Cong MP) will initiate the debate on Lokpal in five minutes. The government wanted a casual debate on such an important and serious issue," Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said.

The BJP members in Lok Sabha objected, saying they were not given adequate notice and forced adjournment of the House.

Later, at an all-party meeting called by Speaker Meira Kumar to discuss the impasse over Lokpal Bill, BJP said either Prime Minister Manmohan Singh or Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee should make a statement followed by a debate or a discussion should be held under Rule 184 which entails voting.

BJP also wants the debate to be held tomorrow. The government later indicated that Singh or Mukherjee may make a statement tomorrow, followed by a debate.

Swaraj said the first aim should be to end Anna Hazare's fast as his health is deteriorating. She insisted that the government should take this issue more seriously.

Her counterpart in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said BJP did not want the impasse in Parliament to continue.

"But a seminar on all Lokpal Bills will not bring out a solution," he said.