Shift in panel view thanks to Rahul: Anna

Irked over Parliament standing committee's sudden U-turn to exclude Group C employees from the lokpal's ambit, activist Anna Hazare on Friday accused Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi of influencing the panel.

Irked over Parliament standing committee's sudden U-turn to exclude Group C employees from the lokpal's ambit, activist Anna Hazare on Friday accused Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi of influencing the panel.

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"I think, after the (earlier) decision, Rahul Gandhi must have told something else," Hazare told media at his native village Ralegaon Siddhi.

The panel had first continued to refuse to bring the lower bureaucracy under the lokpal and then on Wednesday it said it would recommend their inclusion. On Thursday, it took an about-turn and recommended bringing only Group A and B bureaucrats under the proposed anti-corruption body, while leaving out 60 lakh Group C employees.

In a veiled threat to the Congress, Hazare said the party would be responsible if he died after starting his eight-day fast from December 27. He alleged the issue of FDI was being deliberately

drawn. HTC, pune