The BJP Lok Sabha MP from Pilibhit, Varun Gandhi has proposed to introduce the draft Jan Lokpal Bill as a private member’s bill. Varun said he intended to move the Bill next week.
“Private members have no restriction at all. Private members can move any bill. When private members move a bill, then it is taken up as per rules and regulations of the House,” Khurshid said speaking to mediapersons herei on Friday.
The civil society activist, Anna Hazare, whose is on a fast in the Ramlila Maidan has said that he would not end his fast till the draft Jan Lokpal Bill was passed in the House.
Khurshid, however, clarified that the private member’s bill should have adequate support of members for it to be taken up and passed in Parliament.
“The Bill is considered in the House after adequate members support it. The House then passes the Bill or in normal course the minister gives an assurance by which the Bill gets withdrawn.
“The assurance is that their concerns will be factored into any further legislation that the government will bring. That’s the standard procedure. If somebody is wanting to bring a private member’s bill, then there’s nobody stopping them. But they would have to get the necessary support of the members,” the law minister said.
Asked if a member bringing in such a bill wishes to have voting on it, Khurshid said, “If someone wants a voting, then they can have it.”
It is interesting to see whether the principal Opposition party, BJP would support the draft Jan Lokpal Bill after it is introduced in the Lok Sabha by its own MP. Similar challenge exists before other Opposition parties which have shown their sympathy to Anna Hazare.