Judicial Accountability Bill to be kept on hold

The government, which is blaming the opposition for hampering legislative business and for not letting crucial reform bills being cleared, suddenly decided to go slow. Worried about the safe passage of the Lokpal bill, and wary of further embarrassment the government on Thursday decided not to press for passing of important bills for the time being. 

The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill 2010, which was heavily debated on Wednesday, and the Constitution Amendment (114th) Bill, on which the BJP-led NDA wanted voting was not even listed on Thursday. It was clear that the government had developed cold feet for fear of another loss of face after its bill to give Constitutional status to Lokpal was defeated.

DNA had on Wednesday reported these bills will not be in the list of business on the concluding day. In fact, the only legislative business on Thursday was introduction of a bill to amend the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

UPA ministers conceded that they did not have enough numbers to get the bills cleared after BJP and other political parties “adopted an aggressive attitude.”

Among them were UPA parties like Trinamool Congress and DMK. The Congress hopes to win over the dissenting partners by the time they come back for the Budget session and the assembly polls.