Manmohan confident of Lokpal Bill's passage

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a function to commemorate 150th birth anniversary of Madan Mohan Malaviya in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photo: V.V.Krishnan

In the wake of questions over the fate of Lokpal Bill, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed confidence that it will be passed by Parliament.

“Had we not been confident, we would not have introduced it,” he told reporters while entering Parliament just ahead of the consideration of the crucial bill by the Lok Sabha.

His assertion came amid questions over the fate of the bill as a number of parties are opposed to it in the present form and want it to be amended.

The BJP has said it will press for amendments and support parties seeking changes in the proposed legislation if there is common ground.

BJP’s Deputy Leader in Rajya Sabha S S Ahluwalia said the Lokpal Bill, introduced in Lok Sabha on December 22, was “a weak bill” and wanted amendments to improve it.