Govt expressed confidence that a consensus will emerge on the issue and the draft legislation would be introduced in Parliament in the upcoming Monsoon Session.
"We are very happy with the outcome of the all party meeting yesterday...we are confident we can take the process forward to bring the Bill in the Monsoon Session and pass it as soon as possible," Home Minister P Chidambaram said in New Delhi on Monday.
He pointed out that Sunday’s all party meeting called by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh emphasised the primacy of the Parliamentary process and the role of political parties to pilot and approve legislations.
"We will therefore bring a Bill in the monsoon session of Parliament. That Bill will be examined. Every effort will be made to pass the Bill at the earliest. But that will depend on the members of Parliament and their desire to follow established procedures," Chidambaram said.
Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal made it very clear that the government had promised to bring the Lokpal Bill in the Parliament in the Monsoon Session but there was no commitment on the timeline of passing the same.
"We had said we are committed to bringing the Bill in the monsoon session. We never said it will be passed in the monsoon session," Sibal said.
The Minister also said that two parties which took part in the all party meeting suggested that the Bill could be passed in the Winter Session.
Reflecting their eagerness to build a consensus, the union ministers said there was nothing wrong in a number of political parties, including BJP not spelling out their stand on contentious provisions of the Bill like bringing Prime Minister and the higher judiciary under Lokpal's ambit.
Chidambaram said it was "legitimate and valid" that most parties reserved their views on the provisions of the Bill till it will be brought before Parliament.
Supporting Chidambaram's statement, Sibal said that BJP may be requiring more time to finalize a view on the provisions.
Chidambaram described as "preliminary views" opinions expressed by some political parties for or against bringing the Prime Minister and the judiciary under Lokpal's ambit.
"Our impression is that all these views are subject to change when we go through the procedures," Chidambaram said.
Going a step further Sibal said, "Many of these voices that you hear will merge into the consensus."
Chidambaram downplayed UPA ally DMK's strong assertion that both Prime Minister and the judiciary should be brought under Lokpal and refused to see a "divide" in the alliance.
"UPA is not a political party. It's a coalition of political parties. When you have more than one party, you may have different views on some issues. That does not mean that the UPA is divided," Chidambaram said.
He said as long as there is a broad consensus on the Bill, there is nothing to be alarmed, and suggested the government has no problem even if some allies express different views on some provisions of the Bill.
Sibal pointed out that leaders of many political parties wondered at the definition of the civil society and wanted to know whether five members led by Hazare represented the entire civil society of India.
Centre has not taken final decision on Telangana issue: PC
As Congress lawmakers from Telangana stepped up pressure by tendering their resignation, the Centre has said it has not taken a final decision on the "extremely sensitive and complex" issue of separate statehood.
Home Minister P Chidambaram appealed to the MLAs, a Rajya Sabha MP and Andhra Pradesh Ministers from the Telangana region to be patient and allow the consultation process on the statehood demand to continue.
"The central government's view will be made known after the consultation process is over. We have to bring everyone on board. There is a strong view of large number of people. We are yet to take a final decision," he told a press conference in New Delhi on Monday.
His remarks came as 37 MLAs, 16 MLCs and four ministers submitted their resignation to Assembly Deputy Speaker in a bid to pressurise the Centre to take an early decision on the Telangana issue.
"This is an extremely sensitive and complex issue. One should have understanding and patience. Especially, the media should have understanding and patience," Chidambaram said.
Chidambaram insisted that the 9th December 2009 statement made by him was "not made by an individual but made on behalf of the Government of India".
The statement had said that the Centre would initiate the process for the formation of a separate Telangana state.
But, the Centre again made a statement on 23rd December in which it was emphasised that more consultations are needed on the issue.
"When you refer to my statement on December 9, 2009, you should kindly also refer to the December 23, 2009 statement," he said in reply to a specific question.
"The MPs and MLAs had forewarned us on the issue that they would be obliged to offer their resignation on July 4. It is not that alarming. The Congress general secretary in-charge is talking to the MPs. He is in touch with the MLAs," he said.
Chidambaram said the party would persuade the MPs and MLAs to be patient and allow the consultation process to continue.
Asked about when the much-awaited all-party meeting on the issue will be held, Chidambaram said two of the parties have not yet finalised their views on the separate statehood issue and the meeting would be called immediately after the views of all parties are known.
To queries about demands for a deadline and the action by the MPs and MLAs, the Home Minister said he understands their "impatience, but this is a complex issue and we will try to expedite".
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