'Lok Pal Bill may not be tabled any time soon'

On a day Baba Ramdev started his ‘satyagraha’ against corruption and black money at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, Prashant Bhushan, member of the drafting committee of the Lok Pal Bill, expressed concerns the bill may not be tabled in the monsoon session of the parliament.

“The government is saying they will bring the bill in the monsoon session. However, given the current progress, we are apprehensive it might not happen,” Bhushan said.

There are differences between civil society activists and the government over the inclusion of the prime minister and higher judiciary under the Lok Pal’s ambit. Bushan was of the view that both should be covered.

Although he extended his support to most demands of Ramdev, he disagreed with the one calling for death sentence for the corrupt.

“I agree with most of his (Ramdev's) demands. However, I disagree on the death penalty for corrupt,” he noted.

However, he expressed unhappiness over Sangh Parivar leader Sadhvi Ritambhara sharing the dias with Baba Ramdev. "I am unhappy with the presence of Sadhvi Ritambhara. You cannot prevent anyone from supporting a cause but the platform should not be allowed to be used by communal forces," he said.