Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi on Friday doubted the proposed Lokpal's ability to root out corruption. It would be only one element in the legal framework to combat corruption. The Lokpal institution alone could not be a substitute for a comprehensive anti-corruption code, he said in the Lok Sabha.
While welcoming civil rights activist Anna Hazare's fight against corruption, Mr. Gandhi said, amid thumping of desks by the Congress benches, “however individual dictates, no matter how well intentioned, must not weaken the democratic process.”
Raising the corruption issue during zero hour, even as the BJP members vehemently questioned on what basis he was allowed to speak suddenly, Mr. Gandhi said the Lokpal could be fortified by making it a constitutional body accountable to Parliament like the Election Commission.
“I feel the time has come for us to seriously consider this idea.”
Mr. Gandhi went on to state that the democratic process was often lengthy and lumbering, “but it is so in order to be inclusive and fair. It provides for a representative and transparent platform, where ideas are translated into laws.”
A tactical incursion, divorced from the machinery of an elected government that sought to undo the checks and balances created to protect the supremacy of Parliament sets a dangerous precedent for a democracy. “Today, the proposed law [Jan Lokpal] is against corruption. Tomorrow the target may be something less universally heralded. It may attack the plurality of our society and democracy.”
Political will required
Mr. Gandhi said removing the evil required a comprehensive framework of action and a concerted political programme supported by all levels of the State from the highest to the lowest. “Most importantly, it requires a firm political will.”
An effective law was required to deal with some critical issues such as government funding of polls and political parties, transparency in public procurement, proper regulation of sectors that fuelled corruption like land and mining, grievance redress mechanisms in public service delivery of old age pensions and ration cards; and continued reforms to end tax evasion.
Keywords: Rahul Gandhi, Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare, Lok Sabha, Anna Hazare arrest, Tihar Jail, Anna Hazare fast, Jan Lokpal, anti-corruption movement, India Against Corruption, civil society, Lok Sabha
Rahul is absolutely right when he says no one element or law can stop corruption as long as there is a giver and taker.However to have deterence in the frame work of laws of land will provide a scope for investigation and changing electoral process may encourage more honest political leaders.Petty corruption does not bankrupt nation hopefully threat of lokpal deterence may work.Major corruption with overseas accounts and carting away 1$ worth of national wealth should assume more importance to bring back with tougher Lokpal bill.Rahul will be greatly appreciated if he can lead the change once again thank free press Hindu for giving importance to the issue and leading the disclosures.
I am now sure, we have elected the corrupt ministers of the formed government, we have the power to bring down the present government, before it is to late. Why should, we always think of supporting the legacy, when the representative of the legacy does not know the people and the citizen's of India. It is a shame, we still look at them like some istitution, even when scams after scams are carried out by these institution. We should take care of our sovereignty and not let these corrupt ministers with the help of the Government and the Parliament take advantage. We support the Jan Lok Pal Bill. And also support Smt. Sushma Swaraj to table the Jan Lok Pal Bill in the Parliament without any delay. I request all the Parliamentarians to support the bill to bring sanctity in the Government and the Parliament.
I am very happy that Rahul decided to speak on an issue that is currently a burning issue in the country. Known for his rare atterances, this was very surprising. Through his speech we understood his views. I must say it was a very bold step by Rahul. If Congress now pitches for such a big step as making a constitutional body, it would take the air out of both Anna Hazare & the opposition party. Great idea by Rahul. So from now on we will see Rahul growing on fast track.
I congratulate Rahul for the pragmatic thinking even under the volatile situation. The bold statement, though it would dampen the popular frenzy, betrays the traits of a leader. A leader should have a VISION and the courage to emphasis what he feel right even if it temporarily goes against the popular sentiments. This fast is a test dose, if succeeded, many will follow resulting in anarchy..Though I appreciate the cause of Anna's movement, am totally aghast with the means used against the govt of the day. The banners at the dharna site like "mein desh ke gunekaar hoom, I have voted for congress"- is an insult to nation.Anna commands respect, his health is important, but he should not be used by his 'company'.
He chose to break his silence in the zero hour with unwarranted aggression without an iota of regret or reconciliation at a very crucial time when the parliament and the civil society are struggling to break the impasse over making an aged Gandhian break his fast by agreeing to take up his three key demands for discussion. The stark difference in approaching this sensitive issue by him and the PM a day before was so glaring making the nation not to miss the authoritative arrogance that the ruling powers so often display when they are forced to confront a core issue like corruption in governance and public polity that is affecting the lives of the common man in all aspects and which has made him come to the street to protest when anna gave the clarion call. Making the lokpal a constitutional body under parliament and other bills to bring reforms are indeed necessary to combat corruption but making a strong lokpal is a beginning in the right direction.
Did Anna Team say that the Jan Lokpal is the panacea for all Corruption? This Rahul Gandhi has many ghost writers and this time he had something cunningly convincing argument borrowed from the mercurial out-of-the-box thinker, the former Chief Election Commissioner Mr. T.N. Seshan. See the deeper motive - it is a new form of reiteration of the rejected statements of the Supremacy of he Parliament by Kapil Sybal and P. Chidambaram in the wake of the peoples' peaceful protest unheard of since Independence. We consider the Parliament functions under he Constitution and it is a Constituional right to protest not for ignoring by the elected representatives but to see what they have failed and even refused to see - the all pervading corruption, which has assumed monstrous proportion and if continued at this rate will soon reach the size of our national budget. A shame unheard of anywhere in the world including the so called Banana Republics.
Mr. Rahul Gandhi talks about dangerous precedents. How did it come to this? If only UPA government is working truly for people, what was the need for all this agitation? What is UPA's track record on Lokpal? They have stalled Lokpal at every turn. Instead of portraying Anna's movement as dangerous, think of all the dangerous precedents UPA has set. 2G scam, CWG scam, Adarsh scam, cash-for-vote scam... I can go on and on. By stubbornly refusing to address corruption and pulling out all stops to protect the corrupt, UPA is setting a dangerous precedent of openly thumbing its nose at the people.
Mr.Rahul! We all understand the duties of an elected governement and democracy. We all understand the limitations of a single body called Jan Lokpal to control corruption. Scams after scams are happening under the rule of this your 'popular' govt elected through the so called democratic means. Now we are in a situation to conduct parliament in Tihar Jail as some MPs are already parked there and some will go there soon
I really wonder what political will you are talking about after hundreds of scams have happened, affecting the common man who eks out a living on the streets and who can not understand how many zeros are there in 1 crore!!! Really pathetic situation we indians are in!! Debate continues in parliament with a true Gandhian (Mr.Hazare) starving for a good cause. In a common man's parlance, let me ask you a common question, who will bell the cat??
The comment that the agitation is anti-democratic is extremely unfortunate. When Parliament sleeps over critical issues facing the nation and when corruption has assumed cancerous proportions with all the scams , what is the remedy? Popular disgust is expressing itself , which complements the democratic spirit. Re: Constitutional status, it is interesting to learn from Mr Seshan that he has given complete draft for the needed legislation to Sri Sri Ravisankar.Nothing original.
Amul baby reading Digvijay Singh's speech. Do the other congress leaders have self respect? Here is a wannabe prime minister who doesn't have any clue about any national policy of importance.An MP who can't even give a proper speech.
I will not write anything about Rahul Gandhi because now I fully agree with the comment of a Kerala politician who has told him 'AMUL BABY' on his comment in the past. First he should try to get our money back from swiss bank and then dream of becoming the leader of youth.He doesn't understand the corruption faced by common man because he was born with silver spoon in his mouth.Those days are gone when you can become prime minister by just going to poor people. Better than that you sit in you AC chamber and make such rules which should be implemented and not kept as encyclopedia of knowledge.
Why this self proclaimed 'would-be' PM quiet all the while when this controversy has been going on since last April? This is typical of UPA Govt's all double talk and last minute creation of new issues to delay the resolution of the issue of corruption since the beginning of Anna Hazare's crusade. They have always created confusion.I was shocked to see ministers and politicians during the all party meet with PM with smiles on their faces and munching peanuts (or whatever)on Friday without any seriousness or concern while Annaji was on his 11th day of fast at Ramlilla Ground.And they have the cheek to speak about 'supremacy' of Parliament!!
What a profound statement, that Jan lokpal bill alone cannot eradicate the rampant corruption! Does he propose any concrete action that would do that and what concrete role he would assume at this time? For instance, how would bring back home all the illegally stashed money abroad? How about his joining Anna, his supporters and the IAC movement that is sweeping all over India?
Nobody, not even Anna Hazare is stating the the Jan Lokpal is a magic wand that will stop corruption. What is incontestable is that it will be a powerful instrument in the fight against corruption. Rahul Gandhi does himself a disservice when he basically chimes in with a large number of politicians who are actually scared that for the first time there will be laws that will check corruption.
The Jan Lokpal bill is long overdue. Its passage will ensure that the fruits of India's freedom struggle and independence are finally claimed by the people who deserve it most.
Anna's bill is inefficient? If so as an elected member why haven't you come out with a proposal earlier? Why haven't you thought of corruption earlier? Have yu just woken up from a hut in Ameti or what? What have been doing? Don't pretend that you are a poor man's friend, show in deeds. You carry the name of Gandhi, ofcourse the whole world knows how you got it, don't tarnish it, the image of Gandhi is still applauded all over the world, support a good movement for a good cause.
I believe everyone expected Rahul Gandhi to come up with the same stand or opinion. After all, not only he is a major force in the party but ideally everyone in the high command brass should have the same opinion. You cannot expect the PM to say one thing and the next day Rahul Gandhi to say something else. I sincerely believe that this speech of his was given in the parliament to confuse the opposition and to create disarray in the already fragile communication between Team Anna and The Government Interface (Pranab Mukherjee or whoever it might be). By this action of his, Rahul Gandhi has time and again proved that he shoots the bird in the sky and not the lion charging at him. Anna's fast has given a new meaning to Camus's Absurdity. Is Anna's fast absurd or is the govt ridiculous posturing and lack of consensus within the party the real absurdity ? Parliament maybe supreme as per the PM, but the only bill that can pass without problems are the ones which increment the MP's salary.
No one is claiming that Lokpal is panacea. It is the first step towards setting up of an empowered authoirty to investigate allegations of corruption agaisnt high and mighty. We don't want another CBI or CVC. Also, there is a conflict of interests here.Why would political class would like to have someone with huge powers ? So parliament's powers have to be diluted to add teeth to the bill. It is rare of rarest cases and requires extra ordinary measures. It is not fair to say it will set a precedence.
Lokpal bill issue is not a new born baby. Nor Mr. Rahul Gandhi is an ordinary member who joined the congress party yesterday. Since April 2011, the whole nation has been debating about the relative merits and demerits of the versions presented by the UPA government and the civil society group led by Anna Hazare.Bowing under pressure created by Anna's fast in April 2011, the congress party unilaterally called the civil society group for drafting the Lokpal bill, ignoring its coalition partners and the opposition parties. Neither Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, as the AICC president, nor Mr.Rahul Gandhi as the General Secretary of AICC did see anything wrong at that time in engaging the civil society ,bypassing the democratic process he has now advocated or in allowing the individual dictates. What he spoke yesterday lacked focus, reflected some random thoughts, besides contradicting the earlier voice of the PM. By this speech, he exposed the party's confused thinking and policy paralysis.
I am disappointed with Rahul Gandhi. He says that Lokpal bill alone cannot root out corruption. What a superfluous statement! What makes him think that people believe Lokpal bill alone will prevent corruption. Please understand that the idea of Lokpal bill is to tackle corruption head on and minimise it. (Jan) Lokpal bill will not change things over night, and it alone can't achieve everything. But >it will be the right thing to sow into the system so that the coming generations can reap the benefits of a less corrupt system. Please focus on the main objective - "how to tackle corruption head on". Discuss the main issues raised by Anna. Take a stand by being faithful to the objective and the oath you take when you become MP.
By the way, it would not have come to this had the government submitted a really strong Lokpal bill draft to the Standing committee in the first place! And the least said of the opposition parties the better. They have been equally indecisive & weak in response.
It reveals rahul's insufficient experience to speak about this issue. Mr.Rahul, for your kind information and gentle reminder the world is watching this issue and this is not a family issue. Simply you dont tell something to divert or try to hide anything. you should take initiative. we are expecting positive response and reaction regarding this issue immediately...
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