SP to go to any extent to block Lokpal Bill: Naresh Agarwal

NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party was unfazed on Saturday by the appeal of Rahul Gandhi for the passage of Lokpal Bill, warning it could go to "any extent" in Parliament for blocking the anti-corruption legislation.
Party leader Naresh Agarwal advised Congress not to seek passage of any important bill after "losing the mandate of the people" in recent assembly elections in four states.
"Congress has lost the mandate of the people and should refrain from seeking passage of any major legislation. We will continue to oppose the Lokpal bill. We will go to any extent to oppose it," Agarwal told PTI.
SP opposed the bill in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, leading to adjournment of proceedings for the day.
SP leaders had pressed for a discussion on price rise saying it was a more important issue concerning the common man.
SP leaders have claimed establishment of Lokpal will create a "police raj" in the country and was not good for democracy.
Giving a big push to Lokpal Bill, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday appealed to political parties to set aside differences to ensure its passage in parliament to fight corruption.
"Our job is to give this country a powerful Lokpal Bill. We are 99 per cent there and what we need is one per cent from the political parties and we can actually finish and deliver Lokpal," he said.
Lokpal Bill is slated for a debate in Rajya Sabha on Monday.