Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar
on Friday said the Lokpal Bill approved by the union cabinet "did
not appear to conform with people`s expectations" and favoured
inclusion of the Prime Minister within the ambit of the
anti-corruption ombudsman.
"Though I have not gone through what has been approved
by the union cabinet, it appears that the proposed bill is not
in conformity with people`s aspirations," Kumar told
reporters here.
He favoured bringing the Prime Minister within the
ambit of Lokpal and Chief Ministers under Lokayukta.
"We know that the PM doesn`t enjoy any immunity and
therefore, the post be brought under the purview of proposed
legislation," Kumar said.
However, he said there were matters related to the
Prime Minister`s responsibility for security and other serious
concerns of the country and these matters should be exempted
from Lokpal.
Urging that the Bill be placed in Parliament for a
debate, Kumar said JD(U) would put across its views on all
the issues once the draft was circulated.
"We will discuss the draft within the party and also
hold consultations with our ally BJP on the subject of
Lokpal," Kumar said.
Referring to rights activists Arvind Kejriwal`s
statement that the Lokayuka in Bihar was `just a showpiece`,
Kumar said Kejriwal had merely uttered what he himself
(Nitish) told the former.
"We want to make Lokayukta stronger and broader in
Bihar for which consultations are on... we have also received
the draft from team Anna Hazare on the issue," he said.
"In my personal opinion, the CM should be brought
under the purview of Lokayukta as the post doesn`t enjoy
immunity as such," Kumar said.
Kumar also welcomed the BJP leadership`s decision
asking Karanataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa to quit in
the wake of the report of the Lokayukta on the illegal mining
scam.
PTI
