New Delhi: Team Anna on Monday came under sharp attack in Lok Sabha with members from all sides slamming civil society members for using derogatory language against parliamentarians during a day long fast here.
Even as members spoke against Team Anna, MPs from Congress belonging to Telangana as also those from TRS and TDP rushed to Well shouting slogans in support of statehood.
Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj said that by speaking against democratic institutions, the civil society members were indirectly inviting dictatorship.
She said while on the one hand, it wants the Lokpal Bill to be cleared by Parliament and on the other, it was accusing the MPs of being corrupt.
She said if MPs were “looters”, “corrupt” and “rapists”, then why did Team Anna send three of its demands to be incorporated in a resolution passed by Parliament.
Swaraj recalled that BJP, along with other opposition parties, had supported Anna Hazare’s demand for a strong Lokpal Bill and had even slammed the government for brining a “weak” legislation. She said the issue was not limited to an individual or a group of MPs but the entire institution which is the anchor of democracy in the country.
JD-U leader and NDA convenor Sharad Yadav accused Team Anna of targeting him and found support from Swaraj.
He also sought to know how many Team Anna members have gone to jail for raising issues of public interest. “I have been to jail…I have fought all my life,” said a visibly agitated Yadav.
Several NDA MPs in the Lok Sabha were seen supporting Nirupam’s demand that a probe must be ordered to ascertain who was supporting Team Anna.
Basudeb Acharia (CPI-M) said the attack on MPs was not an attack on an individual but on the reputation of the entire House.
Demanding action against the civil society members, Shailendra Kumar (SP) said the attack on Constitution should be slammed by all.
He said all MPs should come forward to defend the “temple of democracy”. Reacting to the sharp criticism faced by Team Anna, Kejriwal said, “Parliament should recognise the problem. If people are losing faith in Parliament, then it is a serious problem of credibility. They should do introspection.”
He said he was also worried about the state of affairs in Parliament and said with 162 members with criminal records, no one can expect that Parliament would pass a strong Lokpal as it would end in jailing these MPs.
“Can you expect that this Parliament with as many MPs with cases will allow the passage of a strong Lokpal,” he said.
“When Rajneeti Prasad tore the Lokpal bill, no one objects. When Women’s Bill was tore, no one objected. Chairs are hurled and mikes are thrown in Parliament but no one objects. MPs are bought and is it not denigrating Parliament. “…I haven’t said anything wrong. I am worried about Parliament,” he said adding 1,176 MLAs were also have cases registered against them. He said parties which nominated these lawmakers have actually insulted Parliament and not Team Anna.
Kejriwal said MPs should introspect why people were losing faith in Parliament. Claiming it was unfortunate that leaders werespeaking against Team Anna and that it will not solve the problem, he said they cannot stop people’s anger. He said he was not painting all the MPs with a single brush and that he had clearly talked about 162 MPs who were facing criminal cases.
“There are good MPs but their voices are feeble,” he said. Asked whether he was ready to face another privilege notice, he answered in the affirmative but said that this will not help the case. (PTI)