Politics

Lalu Prasad dared the BJP to bring an all-party proposal demanding a new Lokpal Bill.

JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav said that the Lokpal Bill will end corruption is just an illusion.

The debate started after Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh Yadav protested. Earlier, it was reported that the debate will start at 2 PM.

The Bill envisages a selection committee for the ombudsman that is biased in favour of the ruling party, it said.

The BJP said that it will go it alone in all poll-bound states except Punjab.

With parties across the political spectrum opposing several clauses of the Bill, it would be interesting to see what form it finally takes.

Jayalalithaa is likely to take up with the PM the Mullaiperiyar issue as protests in border areas are on the rise.

He said he watched the debate in Parliament during the introduction of Lokpal "with great pain".

The Chief Minister said massive raids to demolish and dismantle hooch dens were on in West Bengal.

The Janata Dal Secular MLAs abstained from voting while seven votes were declared invalid.

Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs, V Narayanasamy introduced the Bill after withdrawing the previous draft.

Sources said the term was deleted after it was said that there is no provision of reservation for minorities in the Constitution.

Subramanian Swamy also threatened to challenge her move to provide financial assistance to Christians.

The members of the Congress retaliated as the BJP members shouted slogans against Sonia Gandhi.

Mayawati trying to confuse the voters on caste and religious grounds, Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.

Swamy said most of the leaders in BJP were known to him and that he would welcome any move to make his party a part of the NDA.