NDA leaders to meet to discuss Lokpal Bill

New Delhi: The National Democratic Alliance leaders will meet today to discuss the Lokpal Bill, a day before an all-party meeting on the Bill.
Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare yesterday met top leadership of the BJP, including Parliamentary Party chairman L K Advani. After the meeting, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said the party was not even aware of the outlines of the Lokpal Bill, the UPA government wanted to bring. There was no approved draft Bill by the Cabinet. Mr Hazare has already met Janata Dal(United) leaders Sharad Yadav and Nitish Kumar to garner support of different political parties on the civil society’s draft bill. The Congress has slammed the BJP accusing it of “political opportunism” and attempting to grab power at the Centre through “undemocratic means” and not interested in the Lokpal Bill or anti-corruption laws. Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the BJP, during six years, had not brought the Lokpal Bill and if they were really interested in removing corruption, hey should criticise the civil society. Accusing the BJP of “political opportunism”, Mr Singhvi  said they had not given any suggestion so far about the Lokpal Bill and were not interested in either the Bill or any anti-corruption laws. Asked about Congress’ stand on whether the Prime Minister should be under the Lokpal purview, the Congress spokesman said the party stand was very clear on this that the Prime Minister should not be under the Lokpal purview because of stability of governance.