Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Sunday warned of another agitation if the Lokpal Bill, formulated by the newly-constituted joint committee, is stalled in Parliament. The Bill is sought to be introduced in the monsoon session.
In an interaction with journalists at the Press Club of India here, Mr. Hazare said the Bill was stalled eight times in Parliament and if it was not passed by August 15, there would be another agitation. “If this is blackmail, as some people are saying it is, then I will continue to do this blackmail till my last breath as it is for the good of the people and the nation.''
According to him, involvement of “senior Ministers'' in drafting the Bill would ensure that other Ministers and Members of Parliament fall in line when legislation comes up for discussion in Parliament. “I have full faith in our democracy and Parliament,'' he said.
Ruling out changes in the membership of the joint panel, Mr. Hazare said he had spoken to yoga guru Ramdev and explained to him that it was important to have on board those involved in framing the Jan Lokpal Bill and those who had knowledge of the law. “I told him we will find a way out but let us not have differences. Our aim is the same.''
Ramdev had objected to inclusion of father-son lawyer duo Shanti and Prashant Bhushan on the panel.
Emphasising that “total transparency'' would be the hallmark of their functioning, Mr. Hazare said that opinion of all shades would be sought through video-conferencing and internet and included in making the Bill all-inclusive and effective. The first meeting of the joint committee is slated for April 16.
