Opposition may force Congress to vote against Lokpal bill

All eyes are on the end result of the debate over the Lokpal bill in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

One of the dramatic possibilities being discussed in Parliament is that since the Trinamool Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Shiv Sena, Biju Janata Dal and other National Democratic Alliance parties are against the Lokpal bill that was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, amendments moved by them will have the majority of the votes and will be passed.

The opposition strategy seems to be to get these amendments incorporated into the final bill that will then be put to vote. This will mean that the Congress may be forced to vote against the final bill, since it may not be in agreement with some of the amendments forced by the opposition.

If there are amendments, as it seems likely, then the bill will have to be sent back to the lower house, which has adjourned sine die on Thursday and will meet again for the Budget session next year.