No other issue has exercised the government and civil society in equal measure as the Lokpal Bill.

Ever since activist Anna Hazare undertook his hunger strike against corruption in April this year things have never been the same, with civil society representatives holding eight round of talks with government representatives to arrive at a common ground over the powers of the Lokpal. In the meantime, yoga guru Baba Ramdev got in on the act, the government hardened its stance, and things seemed all set to unravel.

After Monday’s meeting between the two sides, which government representatives described as a ‘major step’, civil society members still feel there are still critical issues which lack a consensus.

One of the major interlocutors from the government side in the Lokpal deliberations is Union Minister of Water Resources and Minority Affairs Salman Khursheed, who will appear on the Rediff Chat on Tuesday, ahead of what may be the last round of talks, to give a clearer picture on the issues dogging the Lokpal negotiations.

Should the prime minister be brought under the Lokpal Bill? Does the Lokpal, by putting civilian oversight on the three arms of government, exceed the provisions of the Constitution? Will the Lokpal turn into a Frankenstein’s monster? How will it impact governance? Does the Lokpal, an unelected official, undermine the citizen’s franchise, which is at the heart of Indian democracy?

To know the answers to these and other questions, join Salman Khursheed, live, on the Rediff Lokpal Chat at 11.30 am IST on June 21, 2011.



(Due to circumstances beyond our control, the chat may be rescheduled)