As Anna Hazare makes a strong pitch for Jan Lokpal Bill, Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Monday said the activist was “overestimating” his version of the anti-graft measure.
Mr. Singh also sought a comprehensive strategy to tackle corruption.
“I think he is over estimating Jan Lokpal bill. Corruption can only be removed if there is a comprehensive strategy by the judiciary, bureaucracy, police and government,” Mr. Singh told reporters here.
“Just passing the law will not help any one. Corruption will not be removed only by Lokpal,” the Congress General Secretary said.
On Mr. Hazare’s objection to government bringing separate bills to tackle corruption, Mr. Singh said, “One law comes or separate laws come, all this decision should be left to the Lok Sabha. It is not proper to say that only what I say is right.”
Asked about Mr. Hazare’s claims that his team members were being targeted by those who fear Lokpal, Mr. Singh dared Mr. Hazare to name the politician or the political party that had opposed the Lokpal Bill.
He said that even before Mr. Hazare took up the issue of Lokpal, Congress had committed to it in its manifesto and Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council (NAC) had asked civil rights activists Harsh Mander and Aruna Roy to prepare a draft legislation in this regard.
He also said the Congress President had mentioned about the anti-corruption measure while speaking at the party’s plenary session at Burari last year.
Mr. Singh also said that he is keeping an eye on the anti-corruption yatra announced by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Uttar Pradesh.
