Veteran Gandhian agrees to end fast after the bill is passed in Parliament; says will not support AAP if it goes on hunger strike for stronger version
Anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare on Saturday announced that he would stop his indefinite fast with the passage of Lokpal Bill in its present form in the parliament. The veteran social activist also made it clear that there is no possibility of any truce with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal.
Fasting for the past five days for passage of the bill, Hazare said that he was happy with the amended legislation presented in the Rajya Sabha.
He addressed a press conference at Ralegan Siddhi soon after AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s press conference in New Delhi where the latter made a strong pitch for passing the bill, describing it as a ‘very, very powerful instrument in the fight against corruption.
Hazare said that he was happy with the present form of bill which satisfies most of his demands. He said that it was a victory for the people of the country and being a fakir, he was not bothered about who takes the credit for the bill.
Informing that CBI has been brought out of the government control and under Lokpal, he expressed satisfaction at the bill.
Hazare expressed satisfaction over the selection process of the Lokpal which would be appointed by a collegium that would include an eminent jurist selected through consensus by its other four members — the Prime Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. He said that the other four members in the eight-member panel would be luminaries from law, finance, administration and investigating agencies.
He said bringing the prime minister within the purview of the Lokpal and both CBI and CVC under its control were good steps.
The veteran leader said that that Class I and II employees would be brought under Lokpal and Class III and IV would be under both Lokpal and CVC (Central Vigilance Commissioner.). He said that there is a separate bill for Citizen’s Charter, whistleblower bill and judiciary standard bill.
Appealing Samajwadi Party to support the Bill, Hazare questioned, ‘whether they don’t want to bring an end to corruption in Uttar Pradesh?’, adding that he has sent a letter to Mulayam Singh in this regard on Saturday evening.
Hazare said that there was no point in taking his name along with Kejriwal. `Ab Raste Alag Ho Gaye Hai (Now we have parted ways.)’, he said.
When asked whether he would support AAP’s fast for a strong Lokpal, Anna said, “I am happy with the bill and if they are not they can launch their agitation but how can I be a part of it when I am happy with the present form of the bill. I am not bothered about anyone else but the poor man on the streets. ‘
Bill will not wipe out corruption
Hazare said that there was no reason to celebrate as Lokpal Bill will not remove 100% corruption. He said the bill can bring down graft by 40% and we have yet to reach to Right to Recall, Right to Reject and vesting rights to gram sabhas as well as Daftar Dirangai Kanoon.
Hazare dismisses Rahul's RTI credit
When reporters pointed out that Rahul Gandhi has claimed credit for bringing RTI, Hazare said, "I have fought for the cause for eight years and have even written a book on it. Perhaps Rahul is unaware that Maharashtra implemented RTI in 2002 and the same draft was adopted by Union Government in 2005. I would send my book to Rahul so that he would understand it.
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