Anna Hazare May Agree To Keep PM Out Of Lokpal Ambit

Anna Hazare on Saturday hinted that his team would not be averse to keeping the Prime Minister outside the purview of the Lokpal while in office.

He said: "The government wanted the PM to be kept out of the ambit of the Lokpal while he is in power, so we discussed this. However, we are not ready to give such provision for (IAS) officers. There are some issues like this we are not ready to negotiate on." The social activist, however, wondered why there was hesitation on bringing the PM under the Lokpal's purview if he has not done anything wrong. "Why are you (the PM) afraid if you have not done anything wrong? If he says he is willing to bring himself under the Lokpal's ambit, it will set an example for others," the social activist said in an interview to a regional channel here.

Giving an indication of a climbdown from his stand, Hazare said, "We are willing to take two steps back if they (government) accept our main demands. We want a compromise. Going on a fast is the last step, but (Congress president) Sonia Gandhi and (Prime Minister) Manmohan Singh are silent," Hazare said, accusing the two of not taking a stand on the Bill.

He, however, stressed that they are trying to meet Sonia to "ascertain" her views regarding the Bill. "We have sought an appointment with her. We have been told that we would be given an appointment in a few days. We are also looking to consult the Opposition and other party leaders," he added.

Taking questions from channel viewers who asked about the effectiveness of the Lokpal, Hazare said 60 to 70 per cent of the corruption in the country would end if their version of the Bill came into effect.

Hazare further denied charges that the Lokpal will be like a parallel government. "It will function just like the Election Commission. It would be an independent body, but will not function like a parallel government," he said and stressed that provisions of the Bill were within the limits of democracy.

He claimed that the government is opposing the Bill because it is afraid it would lose its powers "They have got habituated to behave the way they have done in the last seven years," Hazare said, referring to the UPA government's seven years in office.

The civil society will soon be printing booklets on the Lokpal Bill and take the movement across the country, he said and exhorted people to come forward to ensure that the legislation is enacted.

"I termed our movement a second freedom struggle, because though the British have left the country, the problems of loot and terrorism still plague our country. People should come out and be prepared to go to jail or get beaten with lathis for this cause. We should be like Bhagat Singh and should not waver," he said.

The social activist refuted allegations that he was working as a front for the RSS. "I have never ever felt the need to go to any party. Our members are not affiliated to any political party," he added.