Leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj said that Anna Hazare's anti-graft campaign had brought the issue of Lokpal to the people and the massive support it garnered was because people were "fed up" of increasing corruption in the last two years.
"It is a historical debate, let it be peaceful," she said.
The BJP leader said it was not the first time the Lokpal bill was being taken up by the parliament.
"This is not the first time the bill is being presented, our government also tried but could not get it passed," she said.
"This movement has brought the issue to the public. Earlier whenever a draft was made it was limited to the intellectuals," Sushma Swaraj said.
The opposition leader added the present situation had arisen because people were tired of the increasing corruption.
"The present situation is also because of the increasing corruption in the last two years. People are fed up," she said.
Sushma said Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's unscheduled intervention in the Lok Sabha suggesting an autonomous Lokpal "poured cold water on" the statesmanship shown by the prime minister in breaking the logjam.
She also charged that house norms were relaxed to allow Gandhi to make a long speech.
"Rahul Gandhi poured cold water on the statesmanship and initiative by the prime minister," Sushma Swaraj, Leader of Opposition in the House, said while participating in the debate on the Lokpal issue.
She also charged that Rahul Gandhi was allowed to make a long speech during the question hour, which was contrary to the norms. "Zero hour is meant to raise an issue, not to deliver sermons. Why were norms relaxed for Rahul?" she asked.
Her comments triggered objections from the treasury benches, but Speaker Meira Kumar chose not to comment.
Sushma Swaraj spoke after finance minister Pranab Mukherjee initiated the debate in the Lok Sabha on the Lokpal bill by recounting the chain of events since Anna Hazare first went on fast at the Jantar Mantar here April 9.
In an unscheduled intervention during zero hour on Friday, Rahul Gandhi said that a Lokpal bill could not alone end corruption and suggested an autonomous Lokpal on the lines of the Election Commission.
"Zero hour allows three minutes to raise an issue, Rahul took 15 minutes," Sushma Swaraj said.
Taking potshots at the Congress party, Swaraj said: "The PM speaks rarely, and even when he does, no one listens (to him)."
Arrive at Lokpal conclusion by evening: Advani
Senior BJP leader LK Advani urged parliament to resolve the three key demands on the Lokpal Bill raised by Team Anna by evening so that Anna Hazare can call off his 12-day long fast.
"We should discuss the bill throughout the day and till evening the view of the house should go to Anna Hazare, and it will be meaningful if the conclusion of debate leads to ending of Anna ji's fast," he told the Lok Sabha.
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