Jan Lokpal: BJP to back Bill if dismissal powers dropped

“We have not got a copy of the AAP government’s Jan Lokpal Bill yet but we cannot allow creation of Gestapo in Delhi who will have powers of interception. Besides, you cannot give the Jan Lokpal powers to dismiss government servants as it will violate Article 311 of the Constitution that provides for their dismissal by the appointing authority only. If they (AAP government) drop these clauses, we are ready to support it,” said a senior BJP functionary.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar stated in Delhi on Monday he would appeal to the Delhi BJP to support the Bill to not allow anyone to get “martyr’s status”.

While Kejriwal is unlikely to drop these controversial clauses, BJP seems to be trying to corner him by raising issues that would affect government employees in Delhi and upset citizens sensitive to privacy issues. The BJP does not seem convinced by Kejriwal’s threat to resign. “He has moved into government accommodation and is not going anywhere. This (resignation threat) is mere posturing. You don’t file FIRs against Union Ministers and industrialists if you wish to quit in a few days; it would expose your real intentions. Does he (Kejriwal) have anything to show people in terms of performance or delivery of services?” said a BJP leader.

The Congress, which seems to be giving a long rope to AAP government, at least till Lok Sabha elections, is determined not to support the Bill. Sources said the party is considering a no-confidence motion if the Assembly Speaker allows tabling and passage of a legislation that violates the Constitution. “We should not have allowed the AAP to have its Speaker. A BJP Speaker could have kept a check on these mavericks (AAP leaders). If they insist on passing the Jan Lokpal Bill, we may consider a no-confidence motion. But nothing is final as yet. It’s ultimately up to the High Command,” said a Congress MP from Delhi. Congress sources stressed the party wouldn’t do anything that would be seen as destabilising the government. “Now that we are supporting them, we cannot pull them down till Lok Sabha elections at least,” he said.

The BJP has not thought a strategy in the event of Kejriwal’s resignation. There is a view that it should not let go of a chance to form the government in Delhi. Those against it argue that the party should not do anything to give an opportunity to the opposition to accuse it of horsetrading and project it as “power hungry”, which might have a bearing on the Lok Sabha elections.

“The issue has not come up for discussion. We will cross the bridge when it comes,” said a BJP functionary.