New Delhi: Lalu Yadav was at his best once again. Communist stalwart Gurudas Dasgupta delivered a very sensible speech. Predictably Sushma Swaraj and Yashwant Sinha opposed the Lokpal Bill tabled by the UPA Government. The Lok Sabha at least showed the courage to tell the unelected agitators that Parliament is the highest law making body and its authority is supreme.
Parliament reconvened after lunch on Thursday and Minister of State in the PMO V Narayanasamy withdrew the first draft of Lokpal and tabled the new one.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad, who has been a vocal critic of Anna Hazare and his team's strong arm tactics, took on the unelected NGOs who have been trying to dictate terms to Parliament. In his inimitable style, Lalu ripped apart Team Anna and openly told them not to position themselves above Parliament.
He advised Anna Hazare to look after his health instead of making unreasonable demands. Lalu vehemently opposed the inclusion of the Prime Minister in the Lokpal. He felt that the dignity of the Prime Minister's office would be lowered, if the Prime Minister becomes a part investigation by the Lokpal.
Lalu's speech received thunderous applause from the treasury benches, which has been accused of introducing the Bill in a hurry under duress.
Lalu did not miss any opportunity to poke fun at Team Anna and ridiculed their pressure tactics.
Gurudas Dasgupta of the CPI made a very strong speech. Dasgupta, who is known for his plain speaking, took on Team Anna and asserted the supremacy of elected representatives. He made it clear that Parliament is the highest law making body and the laws can't be made in the streets. He attacked the government for introducing the Bill in a hurry and asked fellow MPs take their time give their assent to the Bill.
He ridiculed that Anna Hazare wants to be the second 'Father of the Nation' and there can be only one 'Father of the Nation'. He also delivered a strong message saying that sovereignty of Parliament can never be surrendered before unelected 'social' activists.
Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj launched a fiery attack on the ruling UPA and demanded a strong Lokpal. She vehemently opposed the proposed minority quota and termed it unconstitutional. It led to a war of words between BJP and Yadavs.
Finance Minister and Leader of the Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee defended the Bill and tried to win over the adamant opposition by assuring that the views and sentiments of every MP will be taken into consideration before the voting on the Bill.
He refrained from a strong attack on Team Anna Hazare and devoted his short speech to convince the opposition.
Anna Hazare who had been keeping quiet since Wednesday evening held a media briefing, the moment the Bill was formally introduced in the Lok Sabha. Hazare dismissed the Bill as weak and toothless. He reiterated that he will go ahead with his fast from December 27.
Lot of fire work is expected when Parliament reconvenes on Tuesday to debate the Bill. Even some of the the allies of the UPA might force the Government to make amendments to the Bill. The powerful Yadavs have given ample indications that they will not allow the Bill to go through unless their demand for a minority quota is accepted.
The belligerent BJP has already sounded Bill bugle expressing its stiff opposition to any quota in the Lokpal.
Political temperature will surely soar both inside and outside Parliament after Tuesday. There will be no respite from cold climatic conditions and hot political weather for the politicians in the last week of the Year 2011.
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