Bengaluru: Amid facing criticism from the Opposition, the state government on Tuesday claimed that the Anti-Corruption Bureau would work on the lines of CBI and the Lokayukta would continue to function in accordance with the Lokayukta Act, 1984.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah making a statement in the Assembly, rejected the demand of Opposition leaders to rollback the decision to set up ACB. He stated that there was no ulterior motive to protect the corrupt or to weaken the Lokayukta.

He further added that he was willing to discuss ways to strengthen the Lokayukta institution with the Opposition. He maintained that anomaly in the functioning of the Lokayukta, which has been exercising powers under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, of the Union government, had been removed by forming the ACB.

Soon after the House assembled, the Opposition members continued their protest for the second day. However, they withdrew their dharna following the Speaker’s request to the Opposition not to disrupt the House proceedings.

Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa convened a meeting and assured of allowing a separate debate on the Lokayukta.