By IANS,
New Delhi: The political situation in the country does not allow the inclusion of the prime minister under the Lokpal’s purview, Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal said Tuesday.
The government was only trying to protect the institution of the prime minister, Sibal said at a press conference here after the last meeting of the joint committee to draft the Lokpal bill.
“The prime minister is the lynchpin of parliamentary democracy,” Sibal said, adding: “We want to protect prospective prime ministers and the institution of the prime minister.”
He said that in present political situation, anyone may raise allegations against the prime minister, and if the Lokpal starts issuing notice to the prime minister, the government will be affected.
“In a coalition government especially, political parties without hesitation make allegations on a daily basis at the drop of a hat against the prime minister. They may even provide documents which perhaps will have no basis.
“If the Lokpal starts issuing notice to the prime minister, given the situation when we are in a neighbourhood which is extremely sensitive, anything can happen anytime,” he said.
The minister said that the inclusion of the prime minister’s post has also been opposed by many “distinguished” civil society members.
“This is not coming from the government alone. This is coming from very distinguished members of civil society. Surely those who are conversant with the constitution and have actually dealt with the constitution for 40 years, know the importance of the office of the prime minister,” Sibal said.