Ahead of RS battle, Trinamool first UPA ally to voice unease

As the government prepared to table the Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha, its key partner Trinamool Congress on Wednesday indicated that it could act difficult as it had objections to the provision on setting up of Lokayuktas in states.

The six Rajya Sabha members of the party met at the residence of Mukul Roy in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss the issue ahead of the Bill coming up in the House.

One of MPs later said the party did not favour any attempt to tamper with the federal structure and wanted it clearly specified in the Lokpal Bill.

The party has objections to the provision in the Bill which makes it mandatory for states to set up Lokayuktas.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukhjerjee last night told the Lok Sabha that the government was amending it to specify that the notification in this regard would not be issued without the consent of states.

However, the Trinamool Congress is waiting to see the language in this regard in the Bill.

"We will make our stand clear only after the Bill is tabled in the Rajya Sabha," Roy, minister of state for shipping, told PTI.

A Trinamool MP said his party does not support any move that will affect the federal structure.

"As so many amendments have been moved, we have to see in what form the bill is brought in the Rajya Sabha," he said, adding, "We are opposed to any tampering with the federal structure."