Make stand clear on Lokpal Bill: Nitish asks Centre

“Let the government tell us its view. Why are two drafts being sent to states for opinions? First,the government should make its stand clear on what it wants. Then only we can comment on it,” he told reporters here.

Asked about whether his party would attend the all-party meeting,he said he would discuss the issue with other party leaders.

“There was a discussion with Hazare and others on the issue of setting up Lokayukta in states. We had a discussion on the matter. I will have a discussion within my party (JD-U) and with allies on the matter. I will also invite Hazare and others to Patna to discuss the issue,” he said.

Kumar’s announcement came after activists Hazare,Arvind Kejriwal,Kiran Bedi and Manish Sisodia had a meeting with the chief minister at Bihar Niwas to drum up support for their version of the Lokpal Bill.

Kumar said he will have detailed discussions within his party and with allies on the Lokpal Bill before taking a final stand on the issue.

Without going into details,he said the scope of the ombudsman should be comprehensive and the need was for a strong legislation to eradicate corruption.

Commending Kumar on the steps taken in checking corruption,Hazare said the Bihar chief minister has already initiated many things which the civil society’s Lokpal Bill envisages.

Kejriwal said Kumar told the team he would “explore the possibility” of setting up a Lokayukta in the state and will invite them to Bihar for further discussions.

Bedi termed the meeting as “extremely positive” and said the chief minister is willing to engage civil society in a constructive manner.

She said Kumar told them one cannot deal with civil society in a “controlled,laboratory-like” fashion. He was for more purposeful engagement with them,she said.

“This is the first time a leader has announced in public he would take effective steps to set up a Lokayukta in the state. This is a wonderful initiative,” Bedi

said.