Delhi assembly can't pass Jan Lokpal Bill without Centre's nod: home ministry sources

The union home ministry is seeking legal advice on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's plan to introduce the Jan Lokpal Bill in the Delhi assembly without seeking the Centre's permission, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwalthreatening to quit and bring down his two-month-old government over the proposed anti-corruption law. The home ministry has stated that the Delhi government cannot pass any bill without the Centre's consent, a view that has been challenged by Mr Kejriwal, who says he will "go to any extent" to see that his bill is passed. Sources say at least two bills passed by the previous Sheila Dikshit government are still waiting for clearance, which could bolster AAP's campaign against seeking central permission. In an exclusive interview to NDTV on Sunday, Mr Kejriwal said the Bill, which provides for an anti-graft ombudsman, will be tabled in the assembly on February 13. "Jan Lokpal Bill is important than government survival...Delhi government will fall if there's no Jan Lokpal," the chief minister said. The Congress, which provides external support to the Aam Aadmi Party, says it is ready for a debate but "won't accept the bill in an unconstitutional way." Last week, the Chief Minister hit out at Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung for seeking legal opinion on the Jan Lokpal Bill, accusing him of taking his cues from the central government to stall the Jan Lokpal bill that was the centre-piece of his anti-corruption campaign that won massive support from Delhi's voters. The opposition BJP made it clear that they would not let Mr Kejriwal take an easy way out. "Arvind Kejriwal ji U have made such a hue and cry about Jan Lokpal everywhere but have not sent a copy to members of assembly .Stop DRAMA. BJP has never opposed the Jan Lokpal bill but the way political drama is being enacted by Kejriwal by insulting constitution and the laws (sic)," BJP leader Harsh Vardhan tweeted. NDTV