RS to decide bill fate

The Lokpal Bill will now be taken up by Rajya Sabha on Wednesday as it has been passed by Lok Sabha. However, the government will not move the Constitution Amendment Bill in the Upper House as it was defeated by the Lower House on Tuesday night.

If the RS defeats the Lokpal Bill, it comes back to the Lok Sabha for reconsideration. If the LS sticks to its guns and passes the Bill, then the government will be compelled to convene a joint session - where both Houses will meet - to decide the fate of the Bill.

It is learnt that the Congress leadership is understood to have decided to issue show-cause notice to some 15 members who remained absent from the House at the time of the crucial voting on the Bills. The party had given whip for its members to be present in the House.