The government's efforts to get the Samajwadi Party to supportthe Lokpal bill in the Rajya Sabha appeared not to have made much headway as it kept away from an all-party meeting called yesterday to drum up support for the legislation.
Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav said his party is opposed to the provisions of the Lokpal bill.
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Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath, speaking to reporters after the meeting, said all the parties discussed passing of the Lokpal bill on Tuesday in the Rajya Sabha.
“All parties, except the Samajwadi Party, expressed the desire that the bill should be passed. We will continue to persuade the SP not to obstruct the house... We will pass it tomorrow.”
The meeting was called by Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari. The BSP too kept away from the meeting, though the BSP has not voiced any opposition.
Kamal Nath urged the Samajwadi Party not to disrupt the house on Tuesday when the anti-corruption legislation would be taken up.
Ram Gopal Yadav said the party has reservations against the Lokpal bill and wants a discussion in parliament on price rise. “We are opposed to the Lokpal bill and are of the opinion that if such a bill comes into force, no officer, no minister will sign on decisions on files in the entire country and decision-making process of the country will come to a standstill,” he contended.u00a0
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