Will BSP, SP bail out the govt in Rajya Sabha too?

The BSP and the SP may hold the key to the passage of the lokpal bill in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Their walkout from the Lok Sabha had helped the government pass the bill with ease on Tuesday. Vikas Pathak and Saubhadra Chatterji report.Future of the bill | TMC's red flag against lokayukta clause

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) may hold the key to the passage of the lokpal bill in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Their walkout from the Lok Sabha had helped the government pass the bill with ease on Tuesday. The government, clearly, is counting on a repeat performance by the UP parties.

The BJP is counting on the Left, the SP, the BSP and, possibly, the All India Trinamool Congress, joining hands with it on amendments on three key issues: making CBI independent of the government, making state lokayuktas optional, not mandatory, and broadening the selection process of the lokpal.While Left leaders requested SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav to vote against the bill, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee requested him against it. BSP's Satish Mishra is also believed to have spoken to a top Congress leader over phone.

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While BSP leaders say there is no "clarity" yet, there is buzz that Mayawati wants a walkout.

If SP and BSP oppose the government, the bill may fall. Moreover, if AITC backs an amendment or walks out, the bill may be in danger again.

Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley gave a veiled message: "All political parties will be watched keenly (by people) to test if they are just willing to proclaim but unwilling to strike."

NDA convenor Sharad Yadav rued the BSP and SP's unexpected stand in the Lok Sabha.

The bill may get stuck if the Rajya Sabha accepts any amendment that the Lok Sabha bill did not, necessitating the bill being sent back to the Lok Sabha.

If the Lok Sabha rejects the amendment, only a joint session can get the bill passed. Else, it goes into cold storage.

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