Give House panel a chance: Singhvi

Amid a persisting standoff with Team Anna on the anti-corruption ombudsman issue, Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi urged that the standing committee vetting the Lokpal Bill be given a chance. HT reports.

Amid a persisting standoff with Team Anna on the anti-corruption ombudsman issue, Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi urged that the standing committee vetting the Lokpal Bill be given a chance.

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The member, who heads the panel, said that the committee could surprise cynics and sceptics about the outcome of the exercise. “Give the Standing Committee a chance. Allow us to do our work. We may collectively surprise all those who are sceptical or cynical," he said on Sunday, adding that the panel shared the people’s concern over corruption.

Singhvi said that the panel has not prejudged the issue, is open to all kinds of views and can include ideal elements from each proposal to formulate a strong lokpal bill.

Singhvi’s plea came even as Team Hazare upped its ante by demanding that the government either bring the Jan Lokpal Bill by the end of August or go.

The government’s mishandling of the Hazare crisis and the growing middle class support for him has already created confusion in the Congress circles. Senior Minister Pranab Mukherjee refused to comment on the issue, maintaining that the prime minister and home minister P Chidambaram have spoken on the issue.

Congress MP Pravin Aron reportedly submitted the Jan Lokpal bill to the standing committee. His colleague Sanjay Nirupam warned that putting a gun to the head of the standing committee and setting a deadline for it would lead to disaster.