NEW DELHI: The government’s plans to introduce the Lokpal bill in Lok Sabha on Thursday seem fraught with the possibility of a repeat of the boisterous scenes that greeted attempts to move the women’s quota bill as smaller parties like SP , BSP , Shiv Sena and RJD seem set to raise a ruckus.

These parties, with Yadav leaders Mulayam Singh and Lalu Prasad at the forefront, made no secret of their agitation over the landmark anti-corruption bill they regard will be a precursor to an all-powerful Lokpal that will be a scourge of politicians.

“Saari powers daroga ke haath mein chali jayegi,” Mulayam Singh said succinctly, summing up the resentment bubbling in the Lok Sabha benches. Although the SP chief was speaking in the context of a BSP MP being allegedly pushed by the PM’s security detail, the digression struck a chord with several MPs.

Outside Parliament , Shiv Sena MP and party general secretary Sanjay Raut said, “Stop a new Gaddafi from taking birth in the interest of the nation and parliamentary democracy." The Sena has been opposed to Anna Hazare right through his agitation.

The rebellious notes in Parliament might complicate the government’s task on Thursday as it mulls the resistance offered to the women’s reservation bill that was on one occasion snatched out of the hands of the minister seeking to move it.

The apprehension of a backbenchers’ revolt in Congress and BJP may not eventually come true when the bill is put to vote, but few could have missed the anxiety among the political class over what is being hailed by civil society and others as a breakthrough in the fight against corruption.

The sullen airs inside Parliament were reminiscent of the resentment that was witnessed when Congress and BJP shoved down women’s quota bill down the reluctant gullets of their MPs.

In fact, sentiments were so strong that many MPs berated BJP and Left leaders in informal conversations in the House for “going and sitting on the lap of Anna Hazare”. Leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj and her colleague Anant Kumar had a tough time pacifying fretful MPs who warned against attempts to push the bill through on Thursday.

The mood of MPs was a factor in BJP leaders telling government’s chief trouble-shooter Pranab Mukherjee that the bill could not be passed in a rush, lest it gave an excuse to Lokpal opponents to argue that they did not have time to go through the details of the legislation.

The government put off a formally announcement of its decision to table the bill in Lok Sabha. If the bill gets introduced in Lok Sabha on Thursday, it will be debated and passed on December 27 and in Rajya Sabha the next day.

An MP was overheard saying that while the courts and activists like Hazare were targeting politicians, the Lokpal would only add to their woes. “The Lokpal will be an instrument to get after politicians,” was the refrain as resignations of powerful state leaders like B S Yeddyurappa after an adverse Lokayukta report have made MPs jumpy. “If the Lokpal says there is a case against you, it will be as good as an indictment,” a Congress MP said.

“Lokpal will not be in your hands. It will go to the hands of police. Nothing can be done then against the police," Mulayam told finance minister Pranab Mukherjee. In an apparent reference to Hazare, he asked whether all this was being done "under pressure of one man".

A Congress minister later wondered whether the bill could be introduced. Minister of state in PMO V Narayanasamy, who will move the bill, might well be a worried man as Mulayam and Lalu said they will oppose the bill. "These powers will go to the police, they will not respect us (MPs). Superintendents of police and district magistrates will send us to jail," the SP leader said.

"Think over it seriously as to whom you are going to give powers. May you have the powers, I have no objection. Let the prime minister have the powers, let (Sharad) Pawar 'sahab' have the powers, I have no objection. But by giving all powers to the police, what do you want to do with this country? This incident (of manhandling) has happened today. See what happens when Lokpal comes," Mulayam said.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad joined in, saying he had not raised any insignificant issue but the government was not paying attention as if it had "disappeared". “You are going to give powers by which everybody's throats would be cut. What happened to the suggestions given at the all-party meeting? You keep saying remain with us... They are getting bill after bill passed gradually and hurting the country's future and democracy," Lalu said.

He alleged that MPs were being kept in the dark about the proposals. He said there should be "consensus" before the bill is brought to Parliament as a decision on such major issue could not be taken without thinking. "You (government) are telling everyone, fall in a pit, push the country (into pit). This will not happen," he said.

“Today, it is the SPG, tomorrow it will be the police. They will slap (us)," Lalu said.