The seven-hour-long debate on the Lokpal bill witnessed some interesting arguments and counter-arguments on Saturday in the Lok Sabha.
Earlier, while initiating the debate, Mukherjee said that the nation was at a "cross-roads" in view of Hazare's campaign. He asked the Parliament to consider the Gandhian's three key demands within the Constitutional framework and by preserving Parliament's supremacy.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj had a go at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during her speech, when she wondered why he was missing from the House when only a day earlier he had sought to raise the status of Lokpal to a constitutional body like the Election Commission.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley disagreed with the suggestion that the Lokpal should have the right to tap anyone's telephone.
"I do not agree with this suggestion because the prime minister may be talking to the chief of RAW or the Intelligence Bureau or members of parliament may be engaged in conversation with other members. This is not acceptable," he said.
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Yadav alleged that the whole show was engineered by those who are running non-governmental organisations.
Janata Dal United leader Sharad Yadav stole the show by mimicking Kiran Bedi.
"Bihar rivers are in spate but when Anna's story sells, who is bothered about Bihar and the miseries of its people," he said.