Corruption a virus: Salman Khursheed

Union law minister Salman Khursheed on Thursday dubbed corruption as 'a virus' and said the central government was willing to accord a constitutional status to proposed Lokpal instituition.

Union law minister Salman Khursheed on Thursday dubbed corruption as 'a virus' and said the central government was willing to accord a constitutional status to proposed Lokpal instituition.

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"Corruption has become virus in the present set up ... it is a serious challenge... but the centre wants to accord constitutional status to the proposed Lokpal," Khursheed said.

"People of the country have seen the movement for Lokpal in India ... we don't want cheap popularity ... the Sonia Gandhi led National Advisory Council has advocated for a strong Lokpal," he said addressing a function on the occasion of the birth anniverssry of former Bihar chief minister Srikrishna Singh.

Referring to AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi, he said "our leader says it is not a small matter to give constitutional right to Lokpal ... there are people who want to mislead the nation ... but we are irrevocably committed to making Lokpal a constitutional authority.

"At the same time, I will say that Lokpal alone will not solve the issue of corruption ... even the judiciary has been against corruption for long ... the government is aware of it and taking steps."