Key UPA constituents want Lokayukta provision deleted

The contentious provision relating to Lokayuktas in the Lokpal Bill may undergo change as key UPA constituents joined the Opposition in demanding its deletion but differences still persist on some other provisions.

At a meeting of leaders of over 20  parties convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh it was agreed that the legislation could be taken up during the second half of the Budget Session after evolving a consensus during the three-week intersession break beginning April.

Leader of the Opposition and BJP leader Arun Jaitley said the consensus among the parties including some UPA constituents was completely against the government that the federal structure cannot be disturbed and the Lokayukta provision be deleted.

Sharing this view, CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury the setting up of Lokayuktas in states should be delinked from the Lokpal.

Interestingly, Sukhendu Shekhar Roy, leader of the Trinamool Congress, which is strongly opposed to the Lokayukta clause, said the parties were united in demanding "deletion" of the provision.

Representatives of DMK, NCP and National Conference, who are part of the government, also opposed the Lokayukta provision.

In the face of strong opposition from within, the government may consider deleting the provision related to the anti-corruption body in states.

However, sources said differences persisted on the demand to broadbase the appointment process of Lokpal, which the Opposition feels is loaded in favour of the government, and the government control over CBI.

The opposition wants an independent investigation agency under Lokpal or CBI not reporting to government on corruption cases being investigated by it.