An Anna needed here too, says Pak media Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/an-anna-needed-here-too-says-pak-media-129898&cp

Islamabad:  An Anna Hazare is needed in Pakistan to lead the struggle against corruption if the country's political parties continue to be averse to taking decisive measures against graft, a Pakistani paper said Monday, commending the Indian activist for his "unflinching struggle" for the common people.

"Corruption has become so ingrained in Pakistan and the political class is seen so steeped in it that unless firm, decisive measures are taken to combat graft, some Anna Hazare will be needed here too to lead the people's struggle against the malaise," said an editorial in the Urdu daily Jang.

Commending Hazare, it said he had finally prevailed over the Indian government and parliament.

"He only called off his 12-day fast after parliament unanimously adopted a resolution calling for a strict Lokpal bill, and agreeing to the three main demands he had stuck to," the editorial read.

"India is one of the nations identified as corrupt, with both the government and private sector accused of it. There is a great deal of latent anger and resentment among the people and there are many sections which taken up the fight against corruption. But the way this social activist led a popular movement against corruption remains unparalleled," it read.

The editorial stressed there are lessons in the stir and its handling by India's politicians for Pakistan - which is also counted among the countries where corruption flourishes.

"The Indian parliament understood the people's sentiments and unanimously adopted the resolution. Here, in Pakistan, where there is no section of the administration untouched by corruption, there is still no consensus on the Ehtisab (Accountability) Bill," it read.

"This lack of consensus is proof of how deep corruption is entrenched in Pakistan's political class and elite. This attitude will not be accepted by the people for much long," the Jang warned.

Parliament considering privilege motions against Bedi, Om Puri Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/parliament-considering-privilege-motions-against-bedi-om-puri-129910&cp

New Delhi:  Anna Hazare's close aide Kiran Bedi and actor Om Puri face privilege motions for mocking at and passing caustic comments against lawmakers.

The notices were filed in both houses of parliament Monday even as Om Puri apologised for calling MPs "anpadh" (uneducated) and "nalayak" (incompetent) at the Ramlila Maidan during Hazare's fast last week.

Bedi expressed no regrets for poking fun at politicians who she alleged don "several masks" to deceive people.

MPs in both Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha have given notices against the two for the "derogatory and defamatory" comments.

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said she was considering a privilege motion against Om Puri and Bedi.

"The matter is under my consideration. I have received notices on the question of privilege," she said in the Lok Sabha after she received the complaints.

Similar notices were also given in the Rajya Sabha where Deputy Chairman K. Rahman Khan said he would convey the sense of the house on the issue to Chairman Hamid Ansari.

If the notices are admitted, the privilege committee will quiz the accused and recommend action against them.

Mohammed Adeeb, an independent MP from Uttar Pradesh, said Bedi had mocked at parliamentarians by wrapping a scarf around her head and face.

"They say one thing inside the house and one thing outside. You remove one mask, then you find another one, and then another," she said, at the protest rally of Hazare last week.

Om Puri also launched a blistering attack on politicians from the stage at Ramlila Maidan. He told the thousands gathered that he feels "ashamed when an IAS or IPS officer salutes a ganwar (illiterate) who is a neta (political leader).

"Yeh anpadh hain, inka kya background hai? Aadhe se zyaada MP ganwaar hain," Om Puri, known for his character roles, told the cheering crowd.

However, the 60-year-old actor later apologised and said he was ready to face any action by MPs. "If they are still angry with me, I will take whatever punishment they give me."

Speculation on Anna-govt talks

Speculation was rife today about back-room negotiations to resolve differences between Centre and Anna Hazare, after a senior Maharashtra government official met the Gandhian but his team ruled out any compromise on its demand for bringing the Prime Minister and higher judiciary within Lokpal's ambit.

Maharashtra Additional Chief Secretary Umesh Chandra Sarangi visited Hazare Saturday night at the Ramlila Maidan, where he is on an indefinite hunger strike demanding a strong Lokpal, a meeting described by Team Anna as “personal” while maintaining that “no compromise formula” was discussed.

The meeting between the official and the 73-year-old anti-corruption crusader figured in today's meeting of Hazare's Core Committee, sources in Team Anna said.

Attended by Hazare, the meeting decided not to climb down from its position on bringing the Prime Minister and higher judiciary in Lokpal's ambit but kept its door open for negotiations if the government “earns their trust” by withdrawing the Lokpal Bill from Parliament.

Justice Santosh Hegde, former Karnataka Lokayukta and a close associate of Hazare, who proposed that the Team could think of giving up their demands on Prime Minister and higher judiciary provided other key demands are met, also attended the meeting, the sources said.

After the Core Committee meeting, Hegde held another round of discussions with key members of Team Anna. The sources said the issue with regard to the Prime Minister and judiciary was also discussed at the meeting but the activists finally decided against lowering their bar.

“We are open for talks. In order to open a door for dialogue, the government has to create an atmosphere. They have to create an atmosphere of trust by withdrawing the government Bill from Parliament and introduce Jan Lokpal Bill. We will not budge from our stand. This is the least they should do to earn our trust,” Swami Agnivesh, a Core Committee member said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's remarks that there was “a lot of scope for give and take” and that the government was open to “discussion and dialogue” was being seen as a positive move from the government side, the sources said.

The meeting was attended by Hazare's close associates Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi, Shanti Bhushan and Manish Sisodia. Activist Medha Patkar was also present.

Team Anna took stock of the situation as well as deliberated on the future course of action, activists said.

Both government and Team Anna yesterday spoke of the need for a dialogue on the Lokpal issue.

Hazare had on Friday raised the political stakes by giving a deadline to the government to pass the Jan Lokpal bill by August 30 failing which he would continue his fast “till my last breath”.