Adopting a flexible approach over the government's Lokpal Bill, former Karnataka lokayukta Santosh Hegde on Saturday suggested Team Anna to allow the centre to pass the bill in "some form" after conceding some points.
"Today I spoke to some members of Team Anna and suggested them to allow government to pass the bill in some form after conceding some points," Hegde, also a member of Team Anna, said over phone from Mangalore.
Hegde suggested Team Anna to concede the power of Jan Lokpal by allowing CBI to probe only those complaints coming to them, but not compromise on the demand to bring CBI under purview of Jan Lokpal while probing Lokpal-related complaints.
"There should be no compromise over bringing CBI under the Jan Lokpal, but the former should be allowed to investigate complaints directly coming to them," he clarified.
Hegde, however, said he did not agree with some points and stands taken by some members of Team Anna. "I don’t come out because the media may say there is a split in Team Anna."
Hegde said he wanted to see the Lokpal Bill (with some concessions) passed in the winter session of Parliament as people have waited for it for over four decades.
{{/usCountry}}Hegde said he wanted to see the Lokpal Bill (with some concessions) passed in the winter session of Parliament as people have waited for it for over four decades.
{{/usCountry}}Reacting to Union minister of state in PMO V Narayanasamy's remarks, Hegde said dealing with Lokpal issue with an iron hand is not a sign of democracy.
"I hope he (Narayanaswamy) knows the meaning of the word 'democracy'," he hit back at Narayanaswamy's comment that the Lokpal issue would be dealt with an iron hand.
It is the people of India who have accepted democracy, not the politicians, he said. "The very first word in the Indian Constitution says 'We the people of India..'," Hegde said.
"A team of five members cannot pressurise the government on passing a bill. A bill can be passed only in Parliament after voting. Parliament alone can pass the bill, and not by someone on the streets or maidans. They cannot decide for Parliament. We will handle this with an iron hand," Narayanasamy had said.
Asked if he would join Hazare's fast in Mumbai on Dec 27, Hegde said, "I have committments till Dec29."