By Our Reporter
Shillong: The Lokpal Bill which is likely to come up for clearance during the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament is plagued by a series of ‘misdoings’ by the members of Team Anna.
Anna Hazare who launched his crusade against corruption earlier this year earned huge response all over the country and even abroad. The ‘India Against Corruption’, a citizen’s movement to demand strong anti-corruption laws, which is spearheading the Lokpal movement in the country has been affected recently as many of its members are allegedly involved in controversies.
“In a movement when there are self righteous feelings among members, then such controversial issues are bound to happen. I would rather like to see that the members cultivate a bit of humility but there is no doubt that we Indian have to stand up to corruption. The Parliament cannot bend itself before the likes of certain individuals on what they have to say and their epitome of wisdom,” said former bureaucrat and social activist Toki Blah.
Blah feels that the Bill will be passed in some form or the other in the winter session and the country too needs such a Bill. “But it has to be understood that the Bill cannot be a panacea for all the corruption and I support the next step of Anna Hazare who has stood up for electoral reforms to ensure better and quality governance,” said the social activist.
“And if the Bill is not going to get through, then we should not be surprised since the protagonist of the Bill are the people in power,” Blah said, while adding that with adequate public support the Bill should go through.
Dipayan Chakraborty, general secretary, BJP (Meghalaya) said that the movement has not taken a backseat since the Lokpal is not a new affair.
“It is not only about Team Anna as many teams have come earlier but the Bill was not passed. The BJP has held discussions with Anna Hazare and supported his points. It is not about shooting the messenger but shoot the message,” said Chakraborty.
He also questioned that the recent allegations against Team Anna members is a ploy of the Congress government. “During the rally against corruption the Congress or the IT department did not pay any attention to these issues and it is a childish character of the Congress. The Congress party should see to the country’s interest,” he said.
Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, Conrad Sangma, said that because of the movement the issue of corruption has now come up in a big way.
“People now are aware about corruption. The movement led by Team Anna has achieved significance and it is a very positive sign. For the first time people have realized that there is need of a law that will check corruption,” he said.
But the Opposition Leader said that he had certain reservations about the proposed Lokpal Bill.
“I don’t support the inclusion of the Prime Minister under the ambit of the bill but cabinet ministers can be included and the investigating agencies should be made stronger,” he said, while adding that the lower bureaucracy should also be brought under the ambit of the bill.
He, however, observed that the bill is not going to go through in the upcoming winter session of the Parliament.
“The government is not speaking with Team Anna eye to eye. The government should have a clear cut decision,” reasoned Sangma.