New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Monday made a U-turn on his statement that Prime Minister should come within the ambit of Lokpal saying he will go with the view of the party and the joint drafting committee on it.
‘My stand is the same as that of the party. Let the Lokpal drafting committee decide. I will go with that decision and the decision of the party,’ he told reporters.
He was asked about his Sunday’s statement to reporters in Guna in Madhya Pradesh that the Prime Minister, judiciary, NGOs and industrial houses should also be brought under the ambit of the Lokpal. But there should be a system to ensure that Lokpal does not not misuse its power, he had said.
While the civil society members of the joint drafting committee have demanded inclusion of Prime Minister under the scrutiny of the proposed anti-corruption watch dog, the ministerial members of the committee have expressed their reservations over such a proposal.
The government view is that such a provision would lead to undermining the office of the Prime Minister with the possibility of frivolous allegations being made against the incumbent.Singh said the drafting committee should first be allowed to complete its job and then the matter can be debated in Parliament.
When questioned about his statement on Sunday, from which some senior Congress leaders have distanced themselves, he merely said, ‘I have conveyed my views a number of times on these issues. I need not repeat it.’
The AICC general secretary had said on Sunday , ‘My view is that the Prime Minister, judiciary, NGOs and industrial houses should also be brought under the ambit of Lokpal. But there should be a system to ensure that the Lokpal does not misuse its power.’
Asked whether his statement points to differences between the government and the party on the issue, Singh said, ‘Leave this to the drafting committee. It is their job. Let the committee, which has members from the civil society as well, first complete its job and give recommendations. As far as the passing of legislation is concerned, it is Parliament’s job. Let it debate the matter rather than outside.’(PTI)