Lok Sabha approves new Lokpal Bill by voice vote

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Lokpal Bill to create an anti-corruption ombudsman, according to reports. However, the government failed to get the two-thirds majority it needed to make the bill a Constitutional Body, like the Election Commission. A visibly angry Pranab Mukherjee, termed it as a ‘sad day for democracy’. The FM blamed the BJP for the incident and threatened them that "people will teach you a lesson," reports said. Just before the vote began, the SP and BSP parties staged a walkout and did not vote on the Lokpal Bill, reports said. The Bill will now be sent to the Rajya Sabha. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government has been the target of middle-class frustration with everyday graft and multi-billion dollar scandals in Asia's third largest economy. Anna Hazare, who began a three-day fast to coincide with the parliamentary debate, wants the ombudsman to have greater powers to investigate high ranking scammers, reports said. His health reportedly deteriorated on Tuesday evening as his blood pressure fell and his temperature rose above 102 degrees. The activist was already suffering from a viral infection before he commenced his fast.