Karat backs Anna, calls for discussion on Lokpal Bill

Stating that his party fully backs anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare, Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Prakash Karat on Friday said all contentious issues over the Lokpal Bill can be resolved by discussion between all political parties in the Parliament.

Stating that his party fully backs anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare, Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Prakash Karat on Friday said all contentious issues over the Lokpal Bill can be resolved by discussion between all political parties in the Parliament.

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"As far as we can gather, parliament can discuss the Lokpal bill that is the fresh Lokpal bill or the provisions of a Lokpal bill. There are some issues, which can be resolved by the discussion in the parliament. It can be done; we hope the government will take the initiative," said Karat.

"Three issues which Anna Hazare has put forward, I think all of us have agreed that there have to be Lokayuktas in state governments, I am sure a way can be found to do that. Second, as far as the citizen''s charter is concerned, there can be a provision within the Lokpal bill for a separate mechanism and the third issue about covering the entire bureaucracy, I am sure the matter can be discussed," he added.

Karat was speaking to mediapersons after his meeting with lawyer and civil society representative Prashant Bhushan.

Anna Hazare, whose fast for a strong Lokpal Bill entered its eleventh day today, wrote to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh assuring him that he would end his fast if a resolution is passed to debate the Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament today.

Hazare has been on fast since August 16, the day he was arrested and taken to Tihar Jail. He was released the same day, but he refused to leave Tihar Jail. He shifted to Ramlila Ground here on August 19 where he has been continuing with his fast.