Chairmen then sought leader of opposition Arun Jaitleys views: Sir, I am from the opposition, but I still speak for the majority of the House. We saw a situation where the bill was ready, circulated yesterday, they saw the bill and said they will take it up today, not yesterday. A government which did not have the numbers in this House, and I says this consciously, has choreographed the debate in such a manner that it cannot be completed today. It is a choreography by a minority government. If any government runs away from Parliament, such a government cannot continue in office. I beseech you, Mr Chairman, let the House decide how long the session will go on, not the government.

Meanwhile, Twitter, that epitome of free spirit, has gone ballistic over the adjournment. Here's a sample:

 @Sharnarthee says: Hope U r watching debates & deciding hu 2 send back 2 parliament & who 2 send packing in nxt elections. Vote smart & u won't need any Lokpal

@visaraj: Arrogance with which Rajniti Prasad tore the bill, They need to suspend this guy from RS.

@sandeep_bamzai: House adjourned till 11.43, what is going on? What is the veepee planning? Game over - lokpal - consigned to the rubbish heap of history

@garg09: still no one is asking for whom rajneeti prasad was doing this drama?

@eeta: It's generally MPs from Lalu's party and Mulayam's party who are the most ill-behaved in Parliament.

@KanchanGupta: Match poised at an exciting point. Which way will it go?

Narayanswamy pointed out that one of the amendments submitted by Yechuri was that the Lokpal be an eminent jurist appointed by the CEC, CAG and the UPSC chairman. These three officials are themselves appointed by the government, but Yechuri doesn't want the government to appoint the Lokpal, what is this logic, Narayanswamy wants to know.

Meanwhile, the chairman has adjourned the House for 15 minutes following the ruckus.

We have a law governing how we can wave the tricolour, points out RJD's Rajniti Prasad, but we have people outside waving the flag all over, including at night, so why is it being allowed?

This law has been brought in out of fear, but I want to tell the government not to fear anything, the movement is over, says Prasad.

Next speaker, Mohammed Shafi of the National Conference, lists his problems with the Lokpal bill as tabled.

Even as Shafi continued, his party's chief minister in Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, has said there was no need for special laws like Lokpal as his state already had such provisions.

"What Anna Hazare is demanding today, our state has already enacted such laws long back," he told a public meeting in Ganderbal district.

Jammu and Kashmir was the first state in the country which had implemented the Public Services Guarantee Act, Omar said.

Even has state Lokayuktas come into focus following the opposition over their inclusion in the Lokpal Bill currently being voted in the Rajya Sabha, here's a heart-warming tale: Delhi Lokayukta Justice Manmohan Sarin has played the role of a mediator in resolving a dispute between two parties over the use of a community centre in South Delhi's South Extension area.

In a complaint filed by one Tarsem Chaudhary against councillor of South Extension Savita Gupta for declining permission to use a community centre for marriage of his niece, Lokayukta framed rules for allowing the facility for weddings which was accepted by local authorities as well as aggrieved parties.

Activist Aruna Roy tonight questioned political parties for raising objections to the provision of setting up of Lokayuktas in the Lokpal Bill, saying they did not oppose such a move earlier.

"The Sense of House resolution adopted by Parliament clearly says that Lokayuktas should be set up in states through Lokpal Bill. Nobody objected to this then. When it came to Standing Committee, nobody objected.

"Also the ruling party, why did not they do proper floor management," she said, and said the parties should realise that the country has to be provided with an anti-corruption mechanism.

Interestingly, even as the Congress is engaged in getting maximum votes in favour of its Lokpal Bill, party president Sonia Gandhi today extended her New Year greetings to DMK President M Karunanidhi, wishing him long life, through the DMK's parliamentary leader T R Baalu.

The DMK is among the UPA allies whose support, while essential for the vote, is not enough to get the vote through the Rajya Sabha

Hussein Dalwai of the Congress rises to speak, naturally in support of the government's Lokpal Bill.

Dalwai, frankly, doesn't have much to say, so far he has been listing the history of Lokpal Bill in Parliament, and describes the present one drawn, "for the first time" with civil society inputs, as a path-breaking one.

Chair refuses to give Mitra more time saying he has run out of time.

Mitra enraged, says, this is not right, this is not right.

Chair to Mitra: Please come to the point. If everybody speaks at the same time noone will be heard.

Mitra: I'm pointing out the role of the CBI in the 2G scam. I'm referring to the how pointless the CBI is.

PK Bansal raises a point of order, reads rule 232 which says a member while speaking shall not refer to any mater on which a judicial decision is pending.

Mitra: So I can't speak on 2G, I can't speak on CWG!! WHAT IS THIS?

Chair to Mitra: It is not for you to accept or reject a point of order

Bansal referring to Mitra says: Rajneeti inke liye dhanda hai.

PK Bansal says Mitra doesn't even know where he is standing, he needs to be reminded he is in Parliament.

Mitra: I haven't even begun. I know they are trying to create disturbances to adjourn the house. I have not said anything Parliamentary.

Chair admonishes him to confine himself to the proceedings, strikes mention of the PMs off the records.  

Chandan Mitra: Corruption runs in the genes of the Congress party. Apart from Lal Bahadur Shastri every single PM has had corruption charges against them.

Obviously, uproar from the Congress.

Chair asks Mitra to confine himself to the Lokpal debate.

Apparently if the RS session goes beyond midnight, it technically requires an OK from the President.

BJP's Chandan Mitra speaking in Parliament now.

And the TMC stands firm on amendments

Pranab Mukherjee has apparently offered to drop the Lokayukta clause and the word from the bill,

TMC still says it has received no word to the effect.

So, the situation now is much the same what it was earlier.

The government still hoping regional parties will come around.

• The govt plans to avoid a vote on the bill
• BJP is confident of a majority and will push for a vote.
• BJP will push for passing an amended bill.
• BSP, SP may still hold the key to passing the bill.

A NDTV report says the government will try and duck the vote.

So if the debate continues till midnight, what happens, does the session continue or does it end and spillover to a future session. No clarity yet.

Our Delhi correspondent tells us that the Vice President Hamid Ansari has rescheduled his departure for Hyderabad to 10 am tomorrow instead of 7 pm today since he will have to adjourn the House sine die.

Probably did not expect the debates to go on for so long.

Venkaiah Naidu asks Prof Kurien who is in the chair, how long this debate will continue. Kurien says he cannot make an estimate, but will ask MPs to cut short their speech.

Naidu asks for permission to go home, so chair says there is no need, dinner is being served in the House.

Naidu leaves for what will be the most popular room in the RS, room #7 where dinner is being served.

Nominated member Dr Ashok Ganguly speaking now. He was the chairman of Hindustan Lever.

Ganguly: There will be differences but let us not disappoint the people of this country who want action taken.

Let us pass this bill  

Rao ended his speech saying I can understand that you can be critical, but lets not become cynical.

And the announcement that all MPs have been waiting for. Parliamentary Affairs minister PK Bansal says: Arrangements for dinner have been made since the members have been sitting late. Members can go in batches for dinner.

Rao: We challenge the Civil society and the Opposition to point out one demand that has not been met. So, do you want to turn this country into a police state?

CBI is not an ombudsman it is a police institution, so if we give the Lokpal a constitutional status, nevermind if it is weak, we can still empower it to be strong.

Details of the meeting between Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and representatives from the BSP and RJD.

Mukherjee, along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal and HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, held meetings with BSP leader Satish C Mishra and RJD chief Lalu Prasad as the debate was underway in the Rajya Sabha.

BSP has 18 members and RJD four in the 243-member House. Sources said Mishra and Prasad were asked about the stand of their parties on the Lokpal Bill and how they would vote. 

Mishra told Mukherjee that BSP was opposed to Lokayukta provision as it goes against the sprit of federalism.The government told him that it would get back, the sources said.

The BSP remained firm on its opposition to the clauses on Lokayukta although it has not moved any amendment. There were indications that BSP members would not walk out.

Meanwhile, in indications of further problems for the government, two Congress members P Kannan and Vijay Darda were not present. Congress has 71 members, altogether. 

So far:

The BJP still says it will push for an amended bill and will oppose the government's attempt to avoid a vote on the bill. The party says it is confident of a majority. The TMC says it stands firm on amendments.

Promises to be a cliffhanger.

Meanwhile, TMC says there is no information on amendments being accepted.

Govt says Pranab Mukherjee has offered the deletion of the Lokayukta word and clauses from the bill.

So, who's right? Stay with us for more.

Kiran Kumar S on Twitter:  This might be what Ram Jethmalani hinted at Rajya Sabha. Download it before Swiss magazine removes from their website.

Read

Uproar as soon as he says the Ganges of corruption has flowing since 2000. Koshiyari says: Chor ki dadhi mein tinka. You were not in power all through during this period, so why are you getting agitated.

In the chair now is PJ Kurien.

Bhartia is out of time, and looks embarrassed and stops. Chair asks her to continue. She says there can be no perfect bill but nothing prevents us from making changes as we go along. This is a bulwark against corruption, hope my colleagues will pass the bill leaving aside political differences. I compliment the government for including the PM under the ambit of the Lokpal.

End note: Supports the bill.

Shukla: Says that the Lokpal is strong. Wwe have ensured that there are checks and balances that no single individual is all-powerful or a law unto himself.  If this bill isn't strong then why do Lalu and Manohar Joshi call it a death warrant?

Ends his debate asking the House to pass the bill.

Shukla: Bhaiyya: Lokpal mangalgrah, chandrama se Lokpal nahin aayega, hamare se aayega.

The laws have to be made so that it lasts for 100 years. Tomorrow if you are packd off to jail, don't weep.

MS Aiyar and Narayanswamy says how can Jethmalani raise of corruption and black money in the house when he's appearing as a counsel in a blackmoney case. Says it's a conflict of interest.

Jaitley, the lawyer, rises to Jethmalani's defence: It is not conflict of interest, it is a consistency of his interest.

Jethmalani says the government has deceived the people in the context of the ratification of the UN convention and under no condition or under any circumstances, will he support the bill

Narayanswamy now wants Jethamalani's entire speech to be expunged.

Remember however, that Jethmalani did not name Rajiv Gandhi, just alluded to him as an ex-PM with charges filed by the Swiss court on black money.

Jethmalani asks the Chair to please continue.

And another gem: Jethmalani to Chair: Please ask these trash to stop behaving like trash.

Jethmalani: A fraud has been made by the government by signing a protocol with the Swiss government on double taxation.

Uproar again. Mani Shankar Aiyar says un-Parliamentary language cannot be allowed.

The chair expunges the word 'fraud; as unparliamentary. Jethmalani also uses the word 'dacoit', which is expunged as well.

Congress admonishes Jethamalani: Don't use bazaar language.

Jethmalani admonishes the chair: You will NOT curtail my time by interrupting my speech.

Jethmalani said a Swiss paper had named an Indian PM in a corruption charge.

Chair agrees with Narayanaswamy, says nothing should go on record.

Uproar in RS. Narayanswamy says Jethamalani cannot make an allegation agaisnt a former PM (Rajiv Gandhi) without substantiation. Jethmalani said corruption was discovered during his time.

Irate Jethamalani: The tragedy of this country is that there are people like this.

Jethamalani: I am not prepared to support this bill until two conditions are satisfied: Repeal section 4 of the Delhi Police Act. Power of superintendents must be divested from central govts and be transferred and vested in the Lokpal. And the power of the CBI must be transferred to the Lokpal, make the CBI independent.   

We cannot do without the CBI. It has to exist as the primary investigative agency in the country.

Jethmalani: The CBI was born during the years of the war. The CBI was created to prosecute criminals who made money illicitly. I must record my appreciation of the work that the CBI has done. They never abused their power.

That reputation no longer exists.

Jethmalani: Please be aware that Anna may have lost the novelty factor for the crowds, but this government should be know that the people will vote them out.

The speech from one of India's most eminent lawyers promises to be interesting.

Ram Jethmalani says he does not care about abuse from anyone. He has used to abuse all his life and those who have abused him have lived to regret it.

The abuse allegedly came from MS Aiyar.

Jethmalani says is Lal Bahadur Shastri was the greatest PM India has ever seen and corruption was discovered during his time. It was not a discovery by Anna Hazare and certainly not a discovery made in 2011.

Quick roundup:

• Post that meeting Pranab Mukherjee, RJD's Lalu Prasad Yadav says the party will vote against the Lokayukta clauses.
• SP's Mulayam says he agrees with some of the Lokayukta clauses, disagrees with others.

Meanwhile, Manohar Joshi of the SS says: Children should be taught from childhood that corruption was a vice. Rooting out corruption is possible only if people are educated about it. Blah blah...

Mamata Banerjee has spoken to all her six MPs personally telling them to stand firm on the amendments on the Lokpal Bill. 

Hitting out at Team Anna, HK Dua said that laws should not be passed at the Ramlila grounds and there were several people willing to lay down their lives for the country. Anna cannot lay claim to that exclusively, that patriotism was not the exclusive reserve of an individual.

Dua says that passing the Lokpal Bill will send the right message to those who want to spread anarchy in the country. For most of his speech, Dua, dissed Team Anna, saying their movement was unconstitutional.

Shiv Sena MP Manohar Joshi speaks.

D Raja reiterates that the CBI should be free from political interferences, but it can't have absolute atonomy; it has to be accountable to the house.

HK Dua (Independent) speaking now. Says he supports the Bill.

D Raja on the CBI inclusion in the Lokpal Bill: He says the CBI should be independent, echoing what the BSP said. 

The BSP said earlier that the case against Mayawati was a result of the misuse of the CBI.  

The BJP meanwhile, says it will not support a change in the name of the Lokpal Bill to drop the word Lokayukta, which is what the TMC wants.

Dinner has been ordered for Rajya Sabha MPs, as Lokpal debate continues.

CPI MP D Raja says more tax should be levied on the rich to fund the poor and women should be better represented.

SP wants the media to be included in the Lokpal Bill.

Now, D Raja of the CPI speaks.

Back in the Rajya Sabha, the TMC's Sukhendu Roy ends his speech saying the party requests that amendments be accepted with regards state autonomy in the Lokpal Bill.

As we told you earlier, the TMC wants the deletion of the entire chapter on Lokayuktas and even the name of the Bill changed.

Even as Mamata Banerjee asks her MPs to press for the two amendments, she clarifies that the TMC is with the government, that's why the party did not join Anna Hazare.

On Twitter: Mrityunjoy Kumar Jha: 

Total amendments in Rajya Sabha is 173..

SP- 7.. AIADMK- 41.. CPM- 22.. TMC- 32.. TDP- 23.. CPI- 04.. BJP- 25.. BJD- 07 ...

Rediff.com's Prasanna Zore who is following the murder of Anuj Bidve says that Micahel Delrosso, the official spokesperosn for the Greater Manchester Police told rediff.com that they have made a fifth arrest in the case and all those arrested are between the age group of 16 to 20 years.

Bidve, 23, was shot dead at point-blank range as he walked into Manchester city centre from his hotel in Salford to queue for the sales with a group of eight friends.

Read: Anuj's family seeks help from Maharashtra CM, Pawar

If you missed the morning session of Parliament, watch Arun Jaitley tear apart the Lokpal Bill. Here's the video clip 

Meanwhile, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad today said the people have "rejected" Team Anna as they have understood its "gameplan".

"They (Team Anna) were selling in the name of people. They have made a business of it. It has all flopped," Lalu said outside Parliament House today.

"People of the country have understood and they have realised it. People have rejected them." RJD leader said, but maintained, "Lokpal Bill is weak. It will not remove corruption."

While efforts are on to ensure passage of the Lokpal in Rajya Sabha, there is a feeling in the government that it may fall through  because it may not not get the required numbers. 

"We can get the Bill passed if the BSP and SP support it. But what can we do when everyone has turned against us," a minister said on condition of anonymity. 

Another minister efforts were on to persuade ally Trinamool Congress to support the Bill. Trinamool Congress, which has 6 MPs in the House, has declared that it will stick to its decision to move amendments to the Bill demanding removal of the provisions relating to constitution of Lokayuktas.

Tewari on quote:

Where is justice when someone's company sinks in debt, but his extravagance doesn't end? (A reference to Dr Vijay Mallya and Kingfisher Airlines.)

When 70 per cent of India starving, there are people who make houses worth millions. (A reference to Mukesh Ambani?)

Farmers are killing themselves,mothers are selling their daughters.

Shivanand Tiwari says that as compared to the government, states are ahead where fighting corruption is concerned. States that have Lokayuktas like Karnataka and Bihar have shown the way; the Centre has nothing to show but backwardness in fighting corruption.

He says the bill passed by the Lok Sabha is toothless because it was passed under coercion. Says corruption is Congress' offspring in India.

As the debate in the Rajya Sabha rages on, the Lok Sabha adjourns sine die.

Yechury's debate is over.

JD(U)'s Shivanand Tewari speaks. Begins with state politics -- says the Bihar Lokayukta Act is way better that your Lokpal & Lokayuktas Act

The Samajwadi Party, which has 5 MPs, and Rashtriya Janata Dal with 4 MPs may vote against the Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha. Party sources said its 22 MPs, who walked out of the Loksabha before voting on the Lokpal Bill on Tuesday, said that their MPs may vote against the measure in the Upper House. Like SP, if the Bahujan Samaj Party with 18 MPs and RJD with 4 MPs also oppose the Bill and decide to vote against it, then the government will have serious concerns over the fate of the bill's passage.

More on rediff.com

So, if the Bill goes to vote, with the TMC also pressing for a division and firm on its amendments, it is unlikely it will be passed. This means it goes back to the Lok Sabha. In effect, no Lokpal Bill this session.  

Yechury says you cannot tackle graft without including India Inc. He says corporate funding of political parties should be banned if we need to fight political corruption effectively.

This, therefore implies, that if we need electoral reforms, we need to bring corporate bodies under Lokpal who supply unaccounted money for polls, says Yechury.   

NDTV says the government has decided to go ahead with a vote on the Lokpal Bill.

Back to Yechury who is arguing against the inclusion of the Lokayukta under the Lokpal.  

He says the issue is not black and white -- if you support the issue, you want a Lokpal, or if you oppose the issue, you don't want one. The fact remains that we need a Lokpal and we need a far better Lokpal that what has been passed in the Lok Sabha.

The TMC, meanwhile, says it is firm on its amendments and will press for a division. The TMC wants all references to the Lokayukta removed, including a change in the name of the Bill, which is Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2011. It also wants the CBI out of the Lokpal purview.

So far, the SP, Left, RJD, BJP, JD(U) all want the Lokayukta out of the Lokpal. If the TMC presses for a vote and the Bill does not get passed, it then goes back to the Lok Sabha. In effect, the Parliament will adjourn for the session, sine die.

Yechury says that if you are making a law against the interest of states, you are therefore making a law against India.

Back to Yechury.

The senior CPI leader says that without the states there is no India. Do not do anything that is against the interest of the country and the spirit of the Constitiution, which says that India is a union of states.  

CPM leader Sitaram Yechury speaks. Says he remembers a line, pointing to lyricist Javed Akhtar, says, "Kahin pe nigahe, kahin pe nishana."

House erupts in laughter.

Misra wants the Speaker to "kindly give him just five minutes". Says, "We should not pass laws under pressure."

Unfair to compare him with stalwarts like Singhvi and Jaitley, but Misra simply refuses to give up on his speech. Continues reading from his notes.

Misra asks whether the Congress has framed the laws with reference to all the articles in the UN convention. Says it cannot cannot frame a law that is unconstitutional.

Misra adds: An elephant keeps scaring you, even in your dreams.What have you done in 40 years?

Rajya Sabha TV says he Satish C Misra and not Mishra, as we've been spelling it.

Speaker asks Misra to conclude, Misra thinks the Speaker is telling him the speech is irrelevant. Sibal allows himself a smile.

As expected both Dr Singhvi and Arun Jaitley are trending on Twitter. Apparently, it's Rajesh Khanna's birthday today. The superstar turns 69 today.

As expected, Congress benches ask, "Yeh kya ho raha hai", but the chair asks him to continue.

Mishra gets back in line with a debate on the Lokpal.

Mishra now talks about the achievements of the BSP as Jairam Ramesh and Kapil Sibal listen in with furrowed brows and incredulous expressions.

Says in the last 40 years the Congress' only achievement has been corruption.

Talking about the appointment of CVC chief PJ Thomas, the BSP says everyone knows that the government would have asked Thomas to resign, but did not. It was then the SC had to intervene.

Mishra says the CBI must be independent or it would be misused by the government.  

Like the SP, if the BSP with 18 MPs and RJD with 4 MPs also oppose the Bill and if decide to vote against it, then the government will have serious concerns over the fate of the bill's passage.

In the 243-member Rajya Sabha, Congress and its allies do not not have a majority with its number placed at 92 and needs the support of the MPs of these parties supporting the government from outside. Remember, 122 is the magic figure the government needs to pass the bill.

BSP uses the selection of Palmolein scam tainted CVC Thomas as a metaphor for how the government can misuse the selection of the CBI chief under the existing Lokpal Bill.

Rajya Sabha reconvenes after a 45-minute lunch break. If you've just joined us, the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2011 is being debated. In the morning session, Leader of the Oppostion in the RS, Arun Jaitley opened the debate, while Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi defended the Bill.

The BSP's Satish Chandra Mishra opens the debate.

The Samajwadi Party, which has 5 MPs, and RJD with 4 MPs may vote against the Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha today.

Party sources said its 22 MPs, who walked out of the Loksabha before voting on the Lokpal Bill on Tuesday, said that their MPs may vote against the measure in the Upper House  today.

Like SP, if BSP with 18 MPs and RJD with 4 MPs also oppose the Bill and if decide to vote against it, then the government will have serious concerns over the fate of the bill's passage.

In the 243-member Rajya Sabha, Congress and its allies do not not have a majority with its number placed at 92 and needs the support of the MPs of these parties supporting the government from outside.  At least a walk out by them could help the government but not not a vote against.

RJD sources said the bill was "doomed" because "nobody" wants it and the party may also vote against it. BSP leader in Rajya Sabha Satish Chandra Mishra said the party has not not taken a final decision and its strategy
will be revealed at the time of voting in the House. 

Meanwhile, an update on the Anuj Bidve murder.

Rediff.com's Prasanna Zore, who has been following the story says that Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan has assured Bidve's family that the state government will seek External Affairs minister S M Krishna's help to expedite the process of getting Anuj's body back home in Pune. Rakesh Sonawane, the brother-in-law of Anuj Bidve said he spoke to the CM to seek his help. Rakesh Sonawane told Rediff.com that he met the CM for two minutes during the latter's Pune tour.

Full story on rediff.com shortly.

Also read: Friends, family turn to Facebook for help

In other news before we get back to the RS proceedings at 2.30 pm when the MPs are back from lunch.

The North Korean regime has placed Kim Jong Un, the son and chosen successor of Kim Jong Il, at the center of proceedings, proclaiming him the "supreme leader" of North Korea -- a fresh indication that the leadership transition is progressing smoothly. More on cnn.

Articulate, precise and a worthy combatant to Arun Jaitley, Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi's point-by-point rebuttal ended on a plea. He told the BJP: "Do not do yourself and the nation a disservice by a betrayal. History will not forgive you if you play politics with this bill. You are in search of that elusive and perfect bill at the cost of something good. Join us in passing the lokpal."

Singhvi: History will not forgive you if you play with the Lokpal Bill like you did with the Constitutional Amendment Bill. It will take you 30 seconds to pass the bill with minor technical changes -- if you don't the cat will be out of the bag -- it will show that you never really had any intention to pass the bill.

Every time Speaker says Hon'ble member your time is up, Singhvi, says, Sir, one minute.

And continues about vaad and vivaad. Argument for the sake of argument.

Jaitleyji missed a semi colon, he says. Sense of the house didn't say Citizen's Charter would be under Lokpal.  

The Speaker desperately wants to break for lunch.

Singhvi stubbornly carries on.  

Singhvi talking about the minority reservation in the bill says there is no reservation in the bill, only representation. Singhvi says the draft bill does not have reservation at all, just seeks to reflect the diverse plurality of India. "The draft bill says of the eight members, not less than four must be some or all of OBC's minorities, SC's and ST's. The phrase "some or all' is very important because it does not impose an absolute number from any one minority."

Amid disruptions, Singhvi edges towards conclusion saying, "We are the ones who have the courage to follow our convictions. We are brave enough to think differently, bold enough to act differently becasue we believe we can change the world to a better place."

Chair gives him five minutes to conclude.

Your constitutional cocktail does not have punch, Singhvi tells Jaitley.

Chair asks Dr Singhvi whether he wants to continue after a lunch break. Singhvi says he needs 15-20 minutes more.

Singhvi says the CAG and CVC are also government organizations, but they have complete autonomy to function as independent entities. Singhvi says why are we trying to change government institutions that have worked for us just because the BJP wants to score brownie points ahead of state elections.

Singvi: Thank God, Jaitley didn't say Lokpal must be judge too. We have given great power to Lokpal over CBI, but the PM will look like a pygmy before the Lokpal.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi speaking in the government's defence.

Asks: "The fundamental question is whether you want to pass a Lokpal or not. It is no use passing a string of 15 conditionalities that you are using as a pretext not to pass the bill. Have the courage of your convictions if you don't want to pass the Bill."

Jaitley referring to the minority clause which was reintroduced in the Bill, says its unconstitutional.

Jaitley says the government took the support of the TMC for granted, but the TMC is right in opposing the Lokayukta clause.

Jaitley says the TMC is right in opposing the Lokayukta clause, because it will ensure the Lokpal is a puppet in the government's hands. I hope MPs reject this weak Bill.

Pranab sitting next to the PM covers the mic and makes a point.

Jaitley says that government has to correct all the frailties in the bill. He says the central govt is an usurper and an interloper.

Jaitley tells the UPA, your government is scam-ridden not ours.

Din in the house, followed by a succession of please, please, please from the chair.  

Remember, the BJP wants 13 amendments to the Lokpal Bill.

Vilasrao Deshmukh sitting next to Narayanswamy smiles at a private joke it seems.

Jaitely says the Lokayukta clause in the bill has come about because of a lack of knowledge of the Constitution.

Jaitley referring to a question raised by Pranab Mukherjee says, my utmost respect for Pranab Babu is not unknown to this House. But unfortunately, he is not a lawyer and he cannot speak for both sides.

Pranab Mukherjee and the House laugh uproariously.

Jaitley asks why is the government making the CBI into a unworkable proposition.

He says Lokpal Bill is revengeful -- it tells the people -- you want a Bill, OK, here it is. A Bill which is intrusive, that will enter every area of private life, not just governance. We are not here to teach civil society a lesson.

(The Cong Core Group will meet again this evening. Mooting placing the bill before the select committee).

Jaitley asks is the government making a criminal procedure or a "jalebi"? The government is creating an impossible mechanism. Whoever has made this law has no idea what is criminal jurisprudence. The CBI says it's an unworkable mechanism. It requires a serious change.  

Government can't control Lokpal appointment and removal, says Jaitley. That is absurd, says Jaitley. Government cannot infringe on rights of the states.

Referring to Anna's fast, Jaitley says there is no contradiction in an anti-graft fight and federalism.

Kapil Sibal listens intently.

Jaitley says there are clauses in the bill that are absurd. We cannot be disloyal to our committment to creating a bill of integrity. Why is the government saying that there is a conflict between corruption and federalism. Both can coexist without hurting the other.

Much applause.

Jaitley tells the Congress that you wanted to make it a toy (khilona) and then make it a constitutional authority. Congress believed that it would be the game changer, but games don't change phoney bills.

Says the BJP was not against a constituional amendment to the Lokpal Bill, but it was against bringing Lokayuktas under the Lokpal. The government just wanted to make Lokpal weak by giving it constitutional status.

Jaitley asks Congress to find out, to test, if its allies are only willing to proclaim (pravachan) or strike (prahar). He says this is a half-hearted Bill.

House has reconvened with the PM back. Arun Jaitley speaking now.

Chairman Ansari says the PM is on his way. The BJP makes it clear that they will not allow the House to function till the PM gets here. So, even if the House convenes in the next 10 minutes, without the PM, expect continued uproar and no debate on the Bill.

Incidentally, the BJP is  expected to move at least 31 amendments to the Bill.

The chairman already looks flustered and irritated and says the PM will be here shortly and is on his way.

The din continues.

The Prime Minister is the leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha.

House has been adjourned for 10 minutes.

Opposition benches interrupt Narayanaswamy, much to the chairman's (Hamid Ansari in the chair) annoyance, who says the Bill is not being discussed now.

Narayanswamy says: Why, why, why you are shouting?

V Narayanswamy gives the genesis of the Lokpal Bill. The parties which will be moving amendments are SP, RJD, CPI, Trinamool. Long, long day ahead. Narayanswamy had said that the RS could debate the Bill yesterday, contradicting what Parliamentary Affairs minister PK Bansal said, if the members were willing to sit late.

Today, they have no option, since this is the last day of the winter session of Parliament ends and voting has to take place today.

Rajya Sabha convenes. Drama to begin shortly.

In the Rajya Sabha today, the SP will move seven amendments to the existing and amended Lokpal Bill

The RJD's Rajni Prasad wants the PM, CBI out of the Lokpal ambit and will move an amendment to the effect.

The Trinamool Congress, which has 6 members in the 243-member Upper House where the Congress and its allies do not have majority, wants removal of the provisions relating to the setting up of Lokayuktas in the state. If the government accepts the amendments, the Bill will have to be referred to the Lok Sabha again or a joint session of Parliament has to be convened for its clearance.

Left: Sitaram Yechury of the CPI(M) said the party would press for amendments, including one to ensure that the federal character was not affected, to create an independent investigation wing for the anti-graft body, bring corporate and non-government organisations receiving foreign funds under the Lokpal and broad-base the process for selection of the Lokpal.

MPs slated to speak in the Rajya Sabha today include Derek O' Brien (making his debut), Arun Jaitley, Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

Here's the schedule in the Rajya Sabha today...

RAJYA SABHA

1. The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011
2. The Whistleblowers Protection Bill, 2011
3. The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences, Bangalore Bill, 2010
4. The Copyright (Amendment) Bill, 2010

Remember, the Lokpal Bill was sent to President Pratibha Patil yesterday to get her assent since there were amendments and then tabled in the Rajya Sabha yesterday. However, the discussions and debates will take place today.

In another 10 minutes, the Congress Core Committee is scheduled to meet in Parliament to discuss the Lokpal Bill. MoS PMO Narayanswamy says there is no pressure and there was no pressure from Team Anna to pass the bill.