Solicitor General Parasaran says Jan Lokpal Bill unconstitutional

The Solicitor General of India, Mohan Parasaran, on Friday said the Jan Lokpal Bill is unconstitutional, and insisted that it should get the approval of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Najeeb Jung.

The Delhi Ggovernment has called for a special assembly session to get the bill passed, as the final draft was approved by the cabinet on February 3.

Questioning the politicisation of the issue, Parasaran urged Lt. Gov. Jung to consider various aspects of the bill, and to act as he saw fit.

"I am not bothered about politics. We have only given our opinion based on the constitutional position. Therefore, it is for the governor to consider that and possibly act as he thinks fit," said Parasaran.

India is ranked 87th of 178 countries in Transparency International's 2010 corruption perceptions index. Graft has long been a part of daily life, but the recent scandals - which include violations in granting telecoms licences that cost the country $39 billion in lost revenue - are unprecedented.

However, Delhi State Chief, Arvind Kejriwal said he will write a letter to Lt. Gov. Jung on the issue.

"I am writing a letter to the lieutenant governor, and I will give you a copy," said Kejriwal.

The Aam Aadmi Party, which emerged from an anti-corruption movement, trounced the ruling Congress party in Delhi in recently concluded assembly polls. But Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the single largest party with 32 members.

However, the BJP refused to form the government as it lacked majority.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra said: "If they follow the constitution, then how does it matter,they should work according to its principles. It will take two more days. They should take the lieutenant governor's and federal government's permission, which is the rule.But they do not follow any rules and spread anarchy. This party is a very anarchist party."

Though Congress could manage only eight seats, they agreed to give support to AAP to form government that got 28 seats in 70-member Delhi legislature.

AAP chief, Arvind Kejriwal, was sworn-in as Delhi Chief Minister on December 28, 2013.

Aam Aadmi Party is widening its grip across the country with its ambition to contest general elections from maximum number of states and in as many seats as possible.