Lokpal bill is still safe, not defeated in the Rajya Sabha: Chidambaram

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram while adressing the media on Friday said the BJP had no intention of passing Lokpal Bill. He alleged that this was the reason why 187 opposition amendments were moved.

He claimed that it was quite clear that apart from regional parties, BJP wanted a weakened Bill.

The Bill is still safe, not defeated in the Rajya Sabha, Chdambaram said.

The Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill will be taken up in the Budget session, "we will talk to parties", he said.

Admitting that there were differences among UPA allies, he said, "I would not go so far as to say that there is a pattern in confrontational behaviour (of TMC)."

BJP leader Murali Manohar Joshi had earlier alleged that Congress never wanted the Lokpal bill to be passed by Parliament.

The Lokpal Bill failed to get Parliament's nod when Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die abruptly on Thursday amid high drama and the Opposition accusing the government of running away from a vote because it was in a minority.

The problems of the ruling coalition, which has 93 members in the 243-member Upper House, grew after one of its constituents Trinamool Congress (6) and outside supporters BSP (18), SP (6) and RJD (4) made it clear that they will vote against the Bill.

The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.