Chances of the Lokpal Bill getting through the Rajya Sabha (RS) in the ongoing budget session and becoming a law have dimmed further. Prime minister (PM) Manmohan Singh’s initiative to forge a consensus on the bill drew a blank as parties stuck to their stands.

During an all-party meeting convened by the PM in New Delhi on Friday, the Trinamool Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam opposed the Lokayukta provision, the Leftists wanted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to be an independent agency and the lone member of the Lok Janashakti Party Ram Vilas Paswan wanted the Lokpal abolished altogether.

The Bharatiya Janata Party wanted private agencies that do not get government grants to be out of the Lokpal’s purview and other provisions related to the CBI and the appointment of the Lokpal to be strengthened. The Samajwadi Party wanted the bill to be sent to a select committee.

In the backdrop of the contentious late-night debate in RS last year, when over 147 amendments were moved by members to the bill passed by the Lok Sabha, the PM has conveyed to all parties that any further delay would create an impression that government is not interested in tackling corruption.

The government also believes that passing the Lokpal Bill as approved by the Lok Sabha is the only way to enact the law expeditiously. “Any amendments by RS would mean that the bill goes back to the Lok Sabha — a process loaded with uncertainties,” said a Union minister.

“The agitations launched by Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev may have lost fervour, but they continue to adversely impact the government. The opposition would want to enjoy our discomfort,” the minister said.