Lokpal: No compromise on basis structure of the Constitution, says Congress

Amid protests over tabling of the government version of the Lokpal Bill in Parliament, Congress today said there could be no compromise on the basic structure of the Constitution and wondered why Anna and his friends do not understand a fact even a school child can.

"There is a constitutional structure in the country and this structure has not fallen from above but has been put in place by people of the country through their elected representatives," Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said.

"In India's democratic structure, everybody can give an advice but it is only people's representatives, who can introduce a bill in Parliament and enact a law. This basic fact is understood by even a school child. Either Anna and his friends do not understand or do not want to understand. The question is why they do not want to understand it," he said.

When told that team Anna has burnt copies of the Lokpal Bill of the government, Tewari said the country has seen people and parties burning even the Indian Constitution and then finally agreeing to work within its framework.

"Akali leader Prakash Singh Badal had burnt Indian Constitution in Rakabaganj. Now he is Punjab's chief minister.

"Similar unfortunate incidents had also happened in Assam. Even those, who burnt the Constitution of India realised the futility of such exercises and finally reconciled to work within the parameters of the same. Why the Anna team is refusing to recognise this reality," Tewari asked.