Confusion reigned supreme moments after the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on Saturday adopted ‘sense of the House' on the Lokpal issue, the question being whether it was a resolution or not.
This was because government managers and those in the Opposition were earlier speaking about plans by the two Houses to adopt by voice vote a resolution on the three key issues raised by social activist Anna Hazare.
Several members, including Congress Deputy Chief Whip Sandeep Dikshit, insisted it was a ‘resolution' which was adopted by members with thumping of desks.
Opposition leaders were also confused whether it was a ‘resolution' or ‘sense of the House' and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley even approached Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to know what exactly has been adopted by the Upper House.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla felt that the ‘Sense of the House' and ‘resolution' were the “same thing.”
Mr. Mukherjee, however, said it was a ‘sense of the House' in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha which was reflected in thumping of desks by members.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hailed as “will of the people” Parliament adopting the ‘sense of the House' on the Lokpal issue.
“Parliament has spoken. There was agreement in both Houses. The will of Parliament is the will of the people,” Dr. Singh said.
