"It is the job of Parliament to legislate. We (government) had several rounds of discussion with him (Anna Hazare) and his team. We know their viewpoints. About nine rounds of meetings have already been held with them. Thereafter also, through interlocutors some discussions also took place with them," Mukherjee said.
Union minister Harish Rawat said, "All good suggestions and which are practical have been incorporated and now Parliament will discuss this from Tuesday. Government has come with an open mind and there is no need to pressurise."
Since the Government is placing both Lokpal Bill 2011 as well as amendment for giving constitutional status to Lokpal, it requires both simple majority to pass the bill as well as 2/3rd majority for constitutional status.
The government will also push for the Public Interest Disclosure and Protection to Persons Making the Disclosures Bill, 2010 (also known as whistle-blowers Protection Bill). Sources say the government is hoping that a divided opinion on lokpal would stall this bill.
UPA has the numbers in the Lok Sabha so it is under pressure to get it passed in Rajya Sabha where the UPA is in minority. So if the bill doesn't get passed, the Opposition will be to blame.
If amendments are passed in one house and rejected in the other, a joint session will have to be called to decide, that could delay the passage of the bill.
Anna Hazare is set to hold his three-day fast at the MMRDA Ground in Mumbai against a 'weak' Lokpal Bill from Tuesday.
Team Anna had on Sunday shot off an open letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and MPs wanting enactment of "real and best possible" anti-corruption law which should also provide for an independent investigative wing for the ombudsman.
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