Mumbai, Saturday, December 31, 2011: Admitting that the government was taken by surprise by Trinamool Congress’ opposition to Lokpal Bill in Rajya Sabha, home minister P Chidambaram on Saturday said one or two amendments could be accepted to rope in the ally’s support for passage of the legislation in Budget session.

Chidambaram defended the deferment of Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2011 in Rajya Sabha on December 29 contending that it was the “only prudent course” before the government and that it had ensured that the Bill remained alive.

He continued attack on BJP it said it had devised an “ingenious” method to scuttle it by pushing 187 amendments along with some other parties.

“We were taken by surprise (by TMC). We thought we had convinced them after redrafting a provision, Chidambaram told a press conference in Mumbai.