BJP accuses centre of mishandling Hazare fast

Without taking a political position on whether the Jan Lokpal Bill should be discussed in Parliament, in response to social activist Anna Hazare’s ongoing indefinite fast, the BJP on Tuesday accused the government of insensitivity in dealing with the fast and urged for a “strong” Lokpal Bill. HT reports.

Without taking a political position on whether the Jan Lokpal Bill should be discussed in Parliament, in response to social activist Anna Hazare’s ongoing indefinite fast, the BJP on Tuesday accused the government of insensitivity in dealing with the fast and urged for a “strong” Lokpal Bill.

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The party also distanced itself from LK Advani’s call that the PM should step down and seek fresh mandate, with its deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha SS Ahluwalia saying he was “too small to comment”.

The party till now had avoided going into specifics and sought to address the protest in terms of general statements.

“BJP believes first and foremost a situation has to be created where Annaji is able to break his fast as soon as possible,” said a statement by party president Nitin Gadkari.

“BJP strongly reiterates that India needs a strong and independent Lokpal where the Prime Minister is also brought under its purview... BJP demands a strong mechanism ensuring transparent, independent and impartial judiciary as well.”

While leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj dubbed the government’s Lokpal Bill as one without “teeth and eyes”, Ahluwalia refused to spell out whether it wanted withdrawal of the Bill.

Ahluwalia said, “With some clauses of the Jan Lokpal we whole-heartedly agree, some can be improved upon, and some cannot be accepted.” He also said that people protesting at MP’s houses was not a good method, and could lead the movement astray.