India's new anti-graft law fails to pass in parliament

NEW DELHI: India's government and ruling Congress party failed to pass its proposed flagship anti-corruption law on Thursday as the legislation stalled in the upper house of parliament amid fierce opposition.

The draft law to create a new ombudsman tasked with investigating public officials was approved by the lower house of parliament on Tuesday, but faced an uphill task to clear the upper chamber.

Congress, which does not have a majority in the Rajya Sabha, lobbied furiously behind the scenes, but was ultimately unable to unite its coalition partners, particularly its unreliable regional ally the Trinamool Congress.

The 243-member upper house adjourned at midnight amid scenes of shouting and disorder after 14 hours of debate -- an ignominious end to an extended session of parliament called especially to pass the legislation.

The future of the bill is now uncertain, but will most likely have to be revised and again presented to lawmakers.

"We are trying to our best to get the bill passed," claimed Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Bansal in the final minutes of the debate, shortly before the speaker called an end to proceedings.

Opposition members in the upper chamber filed 187 proposed amendments to the law, Bansal told lawmakers. (AFP)