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Sonia Gandhi reacts after son Rahul’s game-changer idea – constitutional status for Lokpal – is killed

In a rare comment on camera, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party, saying it had spiked the move to give constitutional status to the Lokpal.

The government was left red-faced in Lok Sabha on Tuesday as it could not muster the requisite two-third majority for passing the amendment that provides constitutional status to Lokpal and Lokayuktas. The Lokpal bill, however, was cleared.
 
The unhappiness was more palpable considering the fact that it was Rahul Gandhi who had said in August that Lokpal should be a constitutional body, describing his idea as ‘game-changer’.
 
The Congress chief said, “The BJP was committed to constitutional status for Lokpal at the (Parliamentary) Standing Committee (meeting).”
“But yesterday, we saw their (BJP) real face. The strength we wanted to give to Lokpal, they did not want it,” she said.
 
When reporters persisted with more questions, Gandhi walked away saying: “New Year’s greetings to everyone!”
 
Hours later in Uttar Pradesh, where Rahul Gandhi is campaigning for the Assembly polls, said, “Congress wanted to give a strong Lokpal...we sat till midnight...we wanted to fight corruption...BJP leaders talked much about corruption outside Parliament but when it came to passage of the bill, they voted against it.”
 
“Who gave (BJP MPs) the directive to do so? Senior leaders...all senior leaders (L K) Advani, Sushma (Swaraj) were present in the House,” he said.
 
 
Core issue ignored: BJP
Accusing the Congress party for politicising the issue, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said: “The UPA government forces a legislation which creates a weak Lokpal. The autonomy of CBI is not maintained. Sushmaji’s amendments are rejected. States’ rights under the federal structure are being encroached upon.”
 
“And if we oppose that this Bill is sought to be forced in perennial unconstitutional manner, you sought to give it a Constitutional status. The bill fails, the fault is entirely yours and a clear message has gone to the country that the Congress-led UPA government is not interested in having an effective Lokpal, so much needed in the fight against corruption, but only was keen to score a political point,” Prasad added.
 
 
Govt wary of Rajya Sabha test
The bill now moves to Rajya Sabha, where the government is in a minority. Its key ally Mamata Banerjee wants her party leaders to examine the language of the Lokpal Bill to ensure that the autonomy of states is protected and guaranteed. Sources said that may lead to Banerjee asking for more amendments.
 
Sources said the BJP is also trying win the support of parties like the BJD from Odisha to fight the government in the Rajya Sabha.