New Delhi: An option of a joint session of
Parliament was being thought of for the passage of the Lokpal
and Lokayukta Bill if government's attempt to get it approved
from the Rajya Sabha fails on Thursaday.
It will be a touch-and-go affair in the Upper House,
remarked a senior Congress leader underlining that there were
many ifs and buts for the Bill to be passed.
UPA does not have a majority in the 243-member Rajya
Sabha, which has got two vacancies.
The leader said that if the government's bid to get the
Bill passed in the Upper House fails, then a joint session
would have to be convened before the Budget Session that
generally starts in the second week of February.
Congress has 71 members, while its allies DMK has seven,
Trinamool Congress six, NCP seven, National Conference two and
RLD one. This comes to 94.
The party also enjoys the support of some one-member
parties and some independents and others. The total number of
independent and others is six, while nominated members are
eight.
Two of the nominated, Mani Shankar Aiyer and Bhalchandra
Mungekar, have already joined the Congress.
A Union Minister, belonging to Congress, expressed the
hope that the government would be able to muster enough
support for the passage of the crucial legislation through
some parties abstaining from voting or staying away.
On the Opposition side, the BJP has 51, Left parties have
19, JD(U) eight, BJD six, AIADMK five, TDP and Shiv Sena four
each, Akali Dal three and AGP two.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, December 28, 2011, 17:56