Buoyed by their impressive victory in the assembly elections, the BJP has also been taking credit for passage of the Lokpal bill. The BJP realized that its anti-corruption campaign against the Congress would take a beating if it was seen as derailing the anti-graft law. The party leaders will certainly cash it in the general elections. It was unusual, perhaps, for the first time, to see both the Congress and the BJP uniting in Parliament on an issue. Indeed, it was because of the mutual political interest.

The main credit, however, goes to Anna Hazare. It was indeed creditable that after a 46-year-long wait, and eight failed attempts, the landmark legislation saw the light of the day which envisaged creation of a powerful anti-corruption ombudsman.

But will the bill arrest rising tide of Arvind Kejriwal? It may because the stock of Kejriwal is down, having been sidelined by Anna and his (Kejriwal’s) chances in the coming Lok Sabha elections look bleak. He may not be able to make impact nation-wide as he has claimed. That means that the Aam Admi Party will remain confined to Delhi even if Kejriwal forms the government with or without support of either the Congress or the BJP. However, the passage of the bill has deprived Kejriwal from taking continuously high moral ground in the run up to 2014 Lok Sabha election.

The irony could not have been more biting. In April 2010, Kejriwal pitched for a strong anti-corruption legislation with Gandhian Anna as the face of the Lokpal campaign. Three years on, when the Lokpal legislation was finally passed by Parliament, Kejriwal’s name was conspicuously missing.

Till their painfully separation in September, 2012, Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan were widely recognized as the master minds behind the campaign with Hazare. It was their relentless combination of Anshan-dharna supported by data on corruption cases and a powerful social campaign that forced the government to do what was unheard of. The UPA government first formed a joint drafting panel after the August 2011 fast.

The story later was different. Several Congress and BJP leaders vied with each other to acknowledge how Anna, through his fasts, had brought focus on the Lokpal Bill. But Anna had only bitter words for his erstwhile colleague. In an oblique reference to Kejriwal, the Gandhian said :“The country or society does not benefit from people who stand before cameras. If I had chosen to stand in front of cameras, I would have not reached where I have”.

Soon after Lok Sabha passed the Lokpal bill, Anna broke his nine-day-old fast with a sense of victory, but echoed Rahul Gandhi’s words that the step is a half-way mark and a larger framework is necessary to weed out corruption. “Lokpal is going to put a brake to corruption. It will be able to help combat 50% corruption. However, this law will not stop graft completely”. Observers see it as a new equation building between Anna and the Congress.

Ten points of Lokpal Bill which make it stronger envisaged that the Lokpal will have power of superintendence and direction over central investigation agency including CBI for cases referred to them by ombudsman. A high-level committee chaired by the Prime Minister will recommend selection of CBI Director. The collegium will comprise PM, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. Importantly, PM has been brought under purview of the Lokpal, so also central ministers and senior officials.
The Lokpal legislation incorporates provisions for attachment and confiscation of property acquired by corrupt means, even while prosecution is pending. The bill also lays down clear timelines preliminary enquiry and investigation and trial courts. The new law grants powers to Lokpal to sanction prosecution against public servants. CBI may appoint a panel of advocates with approval of Lokpal to ensure that CBI may not have to depend on government advocates.

Lokpal will be selected by PM, leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, Speaker and Chief Justice of India and one nominated jurist. Opposition of AAP is that majority of those who will select Lokpal will be from political class who will have a vested interest in a weak Lokpal.

The Centre will send Lokpal Bill to states as a model bill. States will have to set up Lokayuktas through state laws within 356 days. Appointment of Lokayuktas have been left to the discretion of state governments. (IPA)