New Delhi: Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare remains adamant and has made it clear that they want the Lokpal Bill to be passed in this winter session of Parliament. "If no consensus was reached in the all-party meet, it should be reached in Parliament. The Lokpal Bill has to be passed in this session," Anna said on Thursday.
He demanded that if required, the winter session of Parliament should be extended to make sure that the Lokpal Bill is passed as early as possible.
"Even if the session gets over, they should extend it. Sessions have been extended several times before," Anna said.
BJP leader Arun Jaitley backed Anna's demand for getting the Lokpal bill passed in this session. "The government must not delay the Lokpal Bill. The bill must come in this winter session," Jaitley said.
Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office V Narayanaswamy hit back at Anna and his team saying that the civil society should not dictate terms. "We cannot bring the Lokpal Bill in a hurry. Parliament is supreme," he said.
Team Anna member Kiran Bedi supported the former CBI director's demand for making the CBI autonomous. "First time serving Director of the CBI, former Director of the CBI of great repute has spoken for an autonomous CBI. We are getting there. It's matter time," she tweeted.
This even as Team Anna has been demanding that the investigation wing of the CBI be brought under Lokpal.
This came a day after no consensus emerged on the Lokpal Bill in Wednesday's all-party meeting.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Parliament MP Ram Vilas Paswan opposed inclusion of the Prime Minister, while others like the Left Front and the BJP wanted the Prime Minister in with safeguards.
Shiv Sena questioned the need for Lokpal itself. Most parties wanted appointment of CBI director to be done by an independent panel. BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said that the Lokpal should have its independent investigative agency.
BJP leader Arun Jaitley and Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav's visit to Jantar Mantar in support of Anna Hazare was also criticised at the meeting.
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said, "There is no commitment by the government on whether they will bring the Lokpal Bill in this session or not. We want the Bill to be brought in this session itself."
This came despite the Prime Minister's opening statement that the bill will be brought in the winter session.
Meanwhile, Anna and his team will decide their future plan of action depending on the proceedings in Parliament.
Anna's core team was meeting for the second day on Thursday to chalk out their battle plan.
Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that Anna's December 27 fast may also be shifted to Mumbai's Azad Maidan, depending on the weather and other legalities.
Kejriwal said, "There will a Jan Sabha on December 27 either in the form of an agitation or a celebration. We have applied to book Mumbai's Azad Maidan keeping into consideration Delhi's weather."
Bedi also tweeted, "The corporate world in Mumbai now has an option of joining the movement, support Anna, get the law and help shoot up Sensex. Yes We Can."
source:ibnlive.in
