JDS, Left stage nationwide stir for strong Lokpal Bill

B D Narayankar

Press Trust of India

Bangalore, Aug 23: The JDS and the Left parties here today staged a national level protest under the leadership of nine political parties demanding passing of
strong Lokpal Bill in the Parliament.

The protest, however, fell short of striking a chord with Anna Hazare's supporters. While the JDS did not elaborate on Anna Hazare's Jan Lokpal Bill, the Left parties totally rejected it.

Addressing the rally, CPI (M) leader V G K Nair said his party rejects inclusion of Prime Minister and judiciary under the ambit of Jan Lokpal.

"The offices of judiciary and prime minister can be brought into the ambit of Judicial Accountability Bill and independent CBI," he said.

State JDS working president P G R Sindhia said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA government should hold talks with Anna Hazare to bring in a strong Lokpal Bill to check corruption.

"UPA should understand the pulse of people's movement and act accordingly," he said.

Sindhia said the BJP and the Congress do not have rights to wage a battle against corruption as both parties were involved in several scams.

"It is ridiculous that many corrupt corporates and politicians, including communal outfits, are trying to use Anna Hazare's movement to gain mileage," he said.

He also flayed Congress-led UPA government for arresting Anna Hazare and putting conditions for holding indefinite fast. "They should have held talks with Anna
Hazare," he added.

Former Law Minister M C Nanaiah said JDS played a stellar role in giving a push to Anna Hazare's crusade against corruption as the party launched several agitations against the corrupt BJP government in the state.

"Karnataka, especially JDS agitations against corruption gave Anna Hazare a push to kickstart a campaign against corruption," he said.

Nanaiah said it was unfortunate that Anna Hazare's supporters were only targetting UPA government, but ignoring BJP government's indulgence in corruption in Karnataka.

He urged the state government to act upon former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde's report and punish those guilty of corruption.

Nanaiah also urged the government to provide protection to Lokayukta officials investigating cases against political leaders and officials.

Criticising BJP for double standards, fomer minister Basavaraj Horatti said the BJP does not have rights to join Anna Hazare's movement as A B Vajpayee failed to pass Lokpal Bill during the NDA rule at the centre.