New Delhi: It was Dr Manmohan Singh's intervention in Parliament that created the room for a truce between the government and activist Anna Hazare, who was on a hunger strike against corruption.
Today, Dr Singh has sent flowers and a short message to Anna, who is recovering at a hospital in Gurgaon.
The Gandhian, who is 74, ended his fast on Sunday after Parliament accepted his three must-have powers for the Lokpal, a new anti-corruption agency that will act on complaints against public servants. For months, the government and Anna's associates had argued about whose vision of the Lokpal was more practical and well-rounded. On August 16, Anna began his hunger strike at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan.
While Anna's team thanked the PM and other MPs on Sunday for accepting their conditions, in principle, there have been some bumps to the happy landing. Kiran Bedi and actor Om Puri face the possibility of a breach of privilege motion against them - both made comments about politicians at Ramlila Maidan that have offended several MPs. While Mr Puri has apologized, Ms Bedi has said she stands by her remarks because they reflected the anger of the people.
An accusation of breach of privilege is effectively a charge of contempt of Parliament. If any individual or authority violates the privileges, power of immunities awarded to MPs, the House has the power to punish them with a warning or in extreme cases, imprisonment. The House has the prerogative to decide whether breach of privilege has been committed.
Today, Dr Singh has sent flowers and a short message to Anna, who is recovering at a hospital in Gurgaon.
The Gandhian, who is 74, ended his fast on Sunday after Parliament accepted his three must-have powers for the Lokpal, a new anti-corruption agency that will act on complaints against public servants. For months, the government and Anna's associates had argued about whose vision of the Lokpal was more practical and well-rounded. On August 16, Anna began his hunger strike at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan.
While Anna's team thanked the PM and other MPs on Sunday for accepting their conditions, in principle, there have been some bumps to the happy landing. Kiran Bedi and actor Om Puri face the possibility of a breach of privilege motion against them - both made comments about politicians at Ramlila Maidan that have offended several MPs. While Mr Puri has apologized, Ms Bedi has said she stands by her remarks because they reflected the anger of the people.
An accusation of breach of privilege is effectively a charge of contempt of Parliament. If any individual or authority violates the privileges, power of immunities awarded to MPs, the House has the power to punish them with a warning or in extreme cases, imprisonment. The House has the prerogative to decide whether breach of privilege has been committed.
