Anna Hazare a Hindutva Project?

If the results of the five state assembly elections have brought a feeling of despondency to the ruling Congress party, the public’s verdict this week should also be making social activist Anna Hazare and his team uncomfortable.

The anti-corruption movement launched by the veteran activist last year shook the political establishment, and in the heat of the moment it was widely assumed that any political party with even the slightest taint of graft would bite the dust at the polls. Team Anna also suggested that parties that had opposed a strong Ombudsman (Lokpal) Bill in the parliament would face the wrath of the people, and they hit the campaign trail to ensure that this would be the case.

But the election results have instead not just highlighted the limits of their particular stripe of activism, but placed a question mark over the motivations of such agitations generally.

The Samajwadi Party (SP), swept to power in Uttar Pradesh, has been critical of the Anna Hazare movement, and was instrumental in blocking the introduction of the Ombudsman Bill in the upper house of parliament. But the SP has also been hit by numerous allegations of corruption, including an SP candidate who was jailed.

The results in the neighboring state of Uttrakhand were also telling. This was the only state that was pressured by the anti-corruption movement to pass the Anna Hazare version of the Ombudsman Bill. Anti-corruption crusaders spent much time there during the election trying to mobilize support for the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and its chief minister for bringing the landmark legislation. But B.C. Khanduri not only lost his seat, but saw his party come in second to the Congress.

Even in Punjab, where the BJP allied with a bigger regional partner to retain power, it lost several seats in the urban constituencies that were the focus of the Hazare campaign. The BJP, which thrives on the urban vote, couldn’t take advantage of the anti-corruption campaign, and ceded ground to its rival the Congress, which was the target of the whole Anna movement.

The attempted mobilization over the issue of corruption seemed aimed more at targeting the Congress, rather than corruption. Indeed, newspapers and magazines have written extensively about how anti-corruption activists were given active support by local BJP and other Hindutva organizations in the elections. English weekly Open even ran a cover story a couple of weeks back describing Team Anna as the “BJP’s Team B.”

This shouldn’t be surprising – key players in the anti-corruption movement, including Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, openly hobnobbed with the BJP and other rightists. These elections have therefore exposed the hypocrisy of the anti-corruption crusaders and brought into the open the hidden agenda behind the agitation.

The anti-corruption brigade are increasingly looking like part of a Hindutva project motivated not by a good cause, but by a desire to capture power in New Delhi by displacing the Congress party.

No need for new law to fight corruption: Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy

MATHURA: As Anna Hazare gears up for yet another protest fast against the government's "weak" Lokpal Bill, Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy today advocated the need to strengthen the existing laws to tackle corruption instead of introducing a new legislation to combat the menace.

"Anna Hazare is demanding a new law to fight corruption, but what is required is to strengthen the existing laws, as they are strong enough to fight corruption," Swamy said in a conference here.

He said the Government should strongly implement the existing laws and take swift action against those involved in corruption.

"Corruption is an issue of concern in the US also, but the difference is that quick action is taken against the accused there, but in India even after a court verdict, it takes years to solve a case," he said.

Anna Hazare's fast: Police take stock of security arrangement at MMRDA

MUMBAI: Top police officials today took stock of security arrangements at the MMRDA ground, where CCTVs, metal detectors besides barricades will be installed for Anna Hazare's three-day fast from December 27 demanding a stronger Lokpal bill.

"They have agreed to install CCTVs, metal detectors and ground barricades at the venue. They will start work by tonight or tomorrow morning and the ground will be ready by evening on December 26," DCP Saytya Narayan Choudhary told reporters at the ground.

Joint Commissioner (Law and Order) Rajnish Sheth also visited the ground earlier in the day.

"We have given them some Dos and Don'ts," said a police source adding final inspection of the ground would be conducted on Monday.

Meanwhile, the police have also asked the organisers to slightly modify the layout plan. "Since Anna has Z+ security, police have asked us to make some changes in the layout plan," said an Anna aide.

Anna Hazare invites people to register for jail bharo

New Delhi: Anna Hazare's jail bharo agitation for a strong Lokpal has been a hit with netizens with over 40,000 people registering for the protest within a day of the India Against Corruption (IAC) launching a website for it.

IAC has launched a website for people to register for the agitation all over the country. The website has state wise as well as city wise listing of the number of people registered for 'jail bharo'.

Team Anna member Kiran Bedi invited registrations on Twitter on Friday. "B a Freedom fighter agnst corruption Register for Jail bharo. Sms to 575758 or call 07303150500," she tweeted.

Over 40,000 people had registered for the agitation till 7 am on Saturday on the
 website www.jailchalo.com.

The website for the agitation starting December 30, is called 'Jail Bharo' (http://www.jailchalo.com/) and invites people to register for the protest in their respective states and cities.

The count of people who have registered for the agitation was 40,184 till 7:00 am on Saturday and the number is going up every second.

Anna Hazare and his team have rejected the Lokpal Bill presented in the Lok Sabha on Thursday and have announced to resume their agitation from December 27. Hazare will fast at Mumbai's Azad Maidan from December 27 to December 29 and will begin jail bharo from December 30.

The Government had tabled the Lokpal Bill in the Lok Sabha on Thursday even as MPs cutting across party lines criticised several provisions of the anti-corruption legislation.

While some MPs criticised specific provisions of the legislation, others asked came down heavily on the Government for showing 'undue haste' following the Anna Hazare agitation in rushing through the Bill.
Hazare and his associates called the Bill a weak one and claimed that it would not be able to tackle corruption. Hazare's close aide even went to the extent of saying that he had little faith in Parliament after the debate over Lokpal Bill in Lok Sabha.

"They say (MPs) 'have faith in Parliament'. My mother says 'have faith in Lord Shiva'. I now tend to agree more with my mother," Kejriwal tweeted.

Another Team Anna member and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi feared that the Lokpal Bill may go the Women's Reservation Bill's way as those in power are comfortable with status quo.

"What you are seeing is nothing unexpected. It may go the Women's Bill way. There is no unity, no consensus on the issue," she said reacting to the opposition from some political parties to the proposed legislation.

Bedi said the bill was hurting those in power. "It appears that status quo suits those in position and power," she said.

New Lokpal Bill to be tabled in Lok Sabha tomorrow

NEW DELHI: A new Lokpal Bill will be introduced in the Lok Sabha tomorrow and the existing one withdrawn.

This was conveyed by the government to the main opposition party, the BJP, on Wednesday along with the intention to have a three-day additional sitting of Parliament from December 27 to take up this crucial bill. BJP gave its nod to this proposal.

Earlier today, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee held a meeting with Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha - Sushma Swaraj, her counterpart in Rajya Sabha - Arun Jaitley and BJP leader L K Advani to discuss the issue.

Mukherjee conveyed to the BJP that the Lokpal Bill passed by the Cabinet last night could be circulated to MPs only later this evening, according to sources.

He also said that the existing Lokpal Bill- introduced in the Monsoon Session of Parliament- will be withdrawn in the Lok Sabha tomorrow and the new bill introduced. Mukherjee said that in this scenario, there was little option but to extend the winter session by three more days and discuss the Lokpal Bill from December 27 to 29.

BJP agreed to the proposal after initial reluctance. BJP party sources said its opposition is to the content of the bill rather than extension of this session.

The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) will meet this evening to decide on the extension.

Government is keen to ensure passage of the Lokpal Bill along with two crucial legislations- Judicial Accountability Bill and Whistleblower Protection Bill -- during the current session. But since only two days are left, it wants additional sitting after the Christmas break.

The BAC had yesterday decided to hold an additional three day sitting from December 27 but later several MPs opposed it, prompting the government to say it will have a rethink.

Several MPs, including from the UPA coalition, are still opposed to the three day extension of the session.

Lokpal Bill was cleared last night by the Union Cabinet. The new bill will be a Constitution amendment Bill which will also bring the Prime Minister under the ambit of Lokpal with certain riders.

The bill, however, keeps the CBI out of purview of Lokpal except on cases which are referred to it by the latter. The Lokpal will have its own wings for preliminary inquiries and prosecution.

The Lokpal will be a nine-member body including the chairperson.

No 'understanding' with Govt on Lokpal: BJP

New Delhi: The BJP on Wednesday refuted suggestions it had an "understanding" with the government on the Lokpal Bill, insisting the party will stick to the dissent notes it had submitted to the Parliamentary panel dealing with the Bill and also move amendments where it does not agree.

Though senior BJP leaders maintained they were unaware of the contents of the Lokpal Bill and can react only when the copy of the proposed legislation is circulated to them, the party said it will not dilute its stand.
"There is no understanding with the government on the Lokpal Bill. Only when the draft is circulated will it be possible for us to study it and comment on it. We will try to give a preliminary reaction tomorrow," Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said.

He said BJP has already stated its position on the Lokpal in the dissent notes it gave to the Standing Committee on Law and Justice which was dealing with the existing Lokpal Bill. BJP members in the Committee had given 18 dissent notes.

The BJP leader insisted that his party had reacted "at times even harshly" to the government Lokpal draft, adding that the yardstick for this is the dissent note.

Jaitley maintained that what has appeared in the newspapers about the "basic features" of new Lokpal Bill is "a matter of concern".

"Like in the appointment of Lokpal the influence of the government is overarching, if the newspaper reports are true. The independence and autonomy of the CBI is not there; there is government control. There are several other questions on which it is possible to make comments only after seeing the whole draft," Jaitley said.

The BJP also maintained that the extension of winter session of Parliament was not a priority area for the party and it was only concerned about the content of the law which should be "reasonable".

Is Anna Hazare Bollywood's marketing weapon?

New Delhi: Bollywood stars, on an aggressive promotional spree, seem to have jumped on to the bandwagon of veteran social activist Anna Hazare who has a considerable following among the youths of India.

On Wednesday actor Shah Rukh Khan, who was recently in the national capital to promote his film Don 2, said he supported the anti-corruption movement launched by Hazare. This is not the first time that Hazare has attracted stars to his popular campaign.

Khan said every aspect of the cause should be looked at seriously. "I think we all support the cause. I think there should be no corruption in the country. I think this whole aspect is becoming so large and so big and there are so many aspects of it that we need to look at it seriously, quietly, step-backedly. We just can't keep saying we support anti-corruption," said Khan.

Actor Kabir Bedi and her star father Kabir Bedi were seen at the Ramlila Maidan protest ground in New Delhi during Hazare's fast to force the government into drafting a stronger Ombudsman bill.
Ramlila Maidan and Hazare drew a star campaigner in August this year when actor Aamir Khan arrived with '3 Idiots' filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani in a crisp white shirt and was welcomed on stage with a thundering applause.

Khan said, "I am here to meet Annaji and give him a hug for the initiative he has taken."
Bollywood till now has only given a passive support to the Jan Lokpal issue. From tweets to participating in pro-Anna rallies in Mumbai, the Anna movement was yet to rub shoulders with the 'heroes'.

"The Bill won't be passed in a day or two. It requires a lot of discussion and debate in Parliament," Aamir said at that time. His presence on the stage raised a lot of eyebrows ahead of the release of his actor nephew Imran Khan’s film 'Mere Brother Ki Dulhan' in September. Khan had also been promoting Delhi Belly, another Imran starrer that was released in July.

Thousands of protestors were in for a treat as Aamir gave a speech and even entertained the spectators by singing. Director Rajkumar Hirani also spoke at the stage and asserted the need for Anna Hazare, 74, to remain healthy.

Hazare's campaign has attracted a lot of high profile campaigners.
Bollywood stars seem to have realised that Hazare’s new-found popularity among the youths is an assured way to reach out to their target audience

Lokpal: endgame near despite Anna protest?

New Delhi: As the deadline of another agitation by Anna Hazare for a strong Lokpal Bill approaches, the UPA has decided to withdraw the old draft and introduce a new one in Parliament even though several smaller parties have accused the Government of trying to rush though the proposed anti-corruption legislation.
Anna has threatened to go on hunger strike from December 27 if Parliament fails to pass a strong Lokpal Bill, but there is no unanimity among the different parties on the proposed Bill.

The winter session of Parliament, which was scheduled to end on December 22, has been extended by three days from December 27 to discuss Lokpal Bill and other legislations.

The Lokpal bill is expected to be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday and would be taken up for discussion when Parliament reconvenes on December 27 after a four-day Christmas break.

Even as UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi addressed Congress MPs and assured them that the government bend further to please Team Anna and the Opposition, the UPA withdrew the old bill and decided to introduce a new draft. The BJP has given its nod to this proposal.

She told her party colleagues that the Government won't go down without a fight on the Lokpal Bill and will ensure that it doesn't meet the same fate as the Women's Reservation Bill.

She also reiterated that the Government and the party were united on the issue and hit out at the Opposition in general and the BJP in particular for trying to derail the Lokpal Bill.

"The Lokpal Bill has been cleared by the Cabinet. The Opposition will have lots of things to say. They should accept suggestions of Government. Team Anna should also accept it. The Opposition cannot reconcile to the fact that they lost (the 2009 Lok Sabha elections). The party and Government support each other, there is no rift between the party and Government," said Sonia.

In another major development, several MPs cutting across party lines have come down heavily on both the Lokpal Bill cleared by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Cabinet and anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, Samajwadi Party Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury have questioned the UPA Government's intention while making it clear that Parliament will not rush through the anti-corruption legislation in a hurry to please Hazare and his associates.

Lalu questioned the need for rushing though the legislation and said that a Bill can be passed after following a due process of Parliament.

"No one can dictate terms to us. Parliament has to follow due process. It is an important legislation. MPs may want to move amendments. How can we rush through it?" questioned Lalu.

Mulayam Singh Yadav warned the government that the proposed legislation would give 'all powers' to the police.

"Lokpal will not be in your hands. It will go to the hands of police. Nothing can be done then against the police," he said and apparently referred to Anna Hazare as he asked whether all this could be done "under pressure of one man".

He said his party will oppose as much as it can. "These powers will go to the police, they will not respect us (MPs). Superintendents of Police and District

Magistrates will send us to jail," Yadav said.

Mayawati-led Bhaujan Samaj Party is also against rushing through the Bill while the Shiv Sena has opposed the concept of a Lokpal completely. The BJP and Biju Janata Dal have also opposed the Government version, but want an early passage of the Bill.

The BJP is yet to reveal its strategy but it has said that the party is ready for a discussion on the Bill any day. It is likely to raise objections on the procedure of the appointment of the Lokpal panel.

BJP leader Arun Jaitely said, "Primary reports on draft are matter of concern. It doesn't measure to our expectation. Selection of Lokpal and independence of CBI is a major concern."

However, Keeping up the heat, Team Anna on Wednesday attacked the government for keeping CBI out of Lokpal's ambit, saying it 'totally destroys' the anti-corruption mechanism in the country by not giving an investigating arm to the ombudsman.

"If the CBI is outside, then how will the Lokpal be strong? This system will save corrupt politicians. If CBI comes under Lokpal then (Home Minister) P Chidambaram will be in jail. You are saving corrupt politicians and say it is a strong Lokpal," Anna said.

"It is cheating people who will teach them a lesson," he said adding he will campaign against the UPA in Uttar Pradesh and other four states going to polls early next year.

Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal said the new bill will do "more harm than doing good" to the existing anti-graft machinery.

Another Team Anna member Justice Santosh Hegde said there was some "ego problem" with government in accepting certain suggestions in Jan Lokpal bill while Kiran Bedi claimed that the agency will remain under government control till immunity is given for past acts of corruption by political parties.

"The Lokpal Bill will not have even investigating powers. You will complain to Lokpal but it cannot investigate. What Lokpal is the government setting up? It means the government is cheating people," Kejriwal said.

Hegde said with CBI out of Lokpal's control, what it does will be like departmental enquiry. "This is certainly unacceptable," he said.

Bedi said on micro-blogging site Twitter, "The bill is not path breaking but breaking the path. Thank you Sonia G."

"It appears till a provision for immunity is guaranteed for past acts of corruption, political parties will ensure CBI remains in government control," she said, adding it was now 'Save CBI' campaign.

The government may find it difficult to pass the Lokpal Bill in the Parliament if the Opposition continue to oppose it. The government has a majority in Lok Sabha but the Opposition can push for amendments in Rajya Sabha.

Dalit leader welcomes reservation in Lokpal

New Delhi: Dalit leader Udit Raj on Wednesday welcomed the Union Cabinet's decision to include reservation for SC, ST, OBC and other weaker section in the ambit of the proposed Lokpal.

Raj, Chairman of All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations, also took a dig at Team Anna and said they should understand their "weaknesses."

"They might have organised big shows at Ramlila ground and Jantar Mantar but the majority of silent section of people is not necessarily with them," he said in a release.

There is no doubt that Anna Hazare has aroused the consciousness of the country on corruption but they should wait and watch what Parliament is going to do, he said.

"After all, Parliament is the will of about 120 crore people and thus they (Team Anna) should have faith in democracy," he said.

While welcoming the Government draft of Lokpal Bill which was approved by Cabinet yesterday, he suggested that Lokpal selection panel should not have more than two judges and that members from other fields like journalism and education also be made part of the panel.

Lokpal Bill: Anna Hazare's Mumbai fast may cost team Rs 50 lakh

Anna Hazare has realised that holding an agitation now comes with a price tag. A 15-day proposed agitation at the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) would set Team Anna back by a cool Rs 50 lakh, something the crusaders against corruption had not bargained for.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has issued a primary permission to Anna Hazare and his men to hold an agitation at the MMRDA grounds at the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), but the rental, parking and security charges may force Team Anna to look for another venue since the costs are turning out to be rather prohibitive.

Team Anna has booked the MMRDA grounds from December 26 to January 10, but has not finalised the dates yet. And apart from paying a rental of Rs 2 lakh per day to MMRDA, Team Anna will also have to pay additional charges for electricity, security and traffic management, including parking charges. MMRDA deputy commissioner Anil Wankhede confirmed that Team Anna has asked for permission to use the MMRDA grounds at BKC for their agitation which has been issued to them, subject to clearances from the police and fire brigade.

Team Anna has been given a 30,000 sq metre plot in the G Text block of the BKC for 15 days instead of the original demand for one month. Wankhede said that a plot of 30,000 sq metre is available at BKC. "Since the plot is available for 15 days, we have told the organisation, India against Corruption (IAC), about the same. The rate applicable will be different in 2011 and 2012. In the first five days of 2011, we will charge IAC Rs 6.40 per sq metre per day, and in the first 10 days of 2012, we will be charging them Rs 8.40 per sq metre per day."

Team Anna will also have to pay electricity charges which include a security deposit of Rs 5 lakh. Hiring of fire brigade services is compulsory. So, fire charges will be collected at Rs 50,000 per day which will add up to around Rs 7.5 lakh for 15 days. In addition, parking charges and traffic management charges for 15 days will be close to Rs 7.5 lakh. So, the total charges for a 15-day agitation will work out to be a little over Rs 50 lakh. However, Team Anna members aren't amused and feel the charges are absurd.

Said Praful Vora, a member, "IAC volunteers are shocked at the expensive charges of hiring the MMRDA grounds: it is roughly Rs 2,00,000 a day. How can a poor man like Annaji, who is leading a civil protest , expect to pay such a sum to the Maharashtra government? MMRDA should not apply a commercial policy to IAC since we are working for a public cause, a not-for-profit movement, and we can't afford such sums like commercial entities can. IAC will write to the chief minister asking for a solution as a civil movement can't afford such hefty costs." For the moment, though, the cost of an agitation stands at Rs 50 lakh.

Anna Hazare threatened with HIV+ needles in anonymous letter, FIR lodged

NEW DELHI: Last week the police received a letter that threatened to inject Anna Hazare and his supporters with needles contaminated with the HIV virus. The letter said if Anna remained adamant on his Lokpal agitation, they will be attacked with the deadly virus.

The police, now beginning to take the threat seriously, have registered an FIR and begun looking for those who sent the letter. The letter states that "a needle team, which has prepared 500 HIV positive needles, would inject the virus in atleast 1,000 people at the demonstration".

This anonymous letter was sent to DCP Central office on December 9.

Delhi Police has registered an FIR under sections 505 (2) - statements conducting to public mischief, 506 (criminal intimidation) and 507 (criminal intimidation by anonymous communication) of Indian Penal Code at Daryaganj police station last week and investigations have begun. The police suspect that "this letter seems to have been posted to the DCP's office from Delhi itself".

"We are trying to ascertain the identity of the sender though, after lot of discussions, we have also come to the conclusion that it might be a prank letter sent by some criminals. But since it is related to Anna Hazare, we don't want to take any chances as there is already a threat to his life and to the large number of people who congregate at his demonstrations," said a police officer.

The letter had stated that there are around 50 "volunteers in this needle group who are trained and they would use the needles cleverly on atleast 1,000 people".

Anna Hazare's anti-graft campaign is good for the country: Narayana Murthy

BANGALORE: Software icon and Infosys' founder N R Narayana Murthy said he was hopeful that the draft of Lokpal bill, expected to be tabled in the Parliament in a day or two, would satisfy all well meaning citizens.

"Mr Anna Hazare, his team and the government have been in talks and they are discussing. I am positive that they will come out with something that will satisfy all the well meaning citizens of this country," the Chairman Emeritus of Infosys said.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of a function where he was conferred the Mother Teresa Award by Indian Development Foundation, he remarked that the anti-graft campaign launched by Hazare was "good for the country and there is no doubt about that".

"All Indians want corruption to come down, whether it is in the government, opposition or in the corporate world and those belonging to civil society," Murthy said. "The Prime Minister has said yesterday that they are accelerating the progress on introducing this (Lokpal) bill in the Parliament, so I think it is good. We are all very happy."

At the function, Murthy said even the projected seven per cent GDP growth for the current fiscal, as revised by the government, is pretty good in the current circumstances. But the biggest challenge is how to bring the majority poor to the mainstream.

Quoting a study which said 350 million Indians live on Rs 36 a day, Murthy lamented: "With this kind of income you cannot keep our body and soul together".

He said there were two sections of society in India. The first one was "galloping" with good economic growth. Children in these families have reasonably good education and comfort in their lives, decent health-care and nutrition.

But a vast section is still struggling and suffering. The government is indeed making efforts to make their lives better. The government cannot do it on its own and it is the duty of civil society and corporates to become an "enthusiastic" partner to ensure better lives for the poor,he said.

8 parties on Anna stage, Congress feels heat

New Delhi:Despite differences over the details of their positions, the presence of representatives of eight political parties on Anna Hazare’s stage at Jantar Mantar on Sunday is likely to put the Congress in a tight spot in Parliament on this issue as the total strength of these parties adds up to 201 MPs in the Lok Sabha.

Leaders of BJP (115), SP (22), JD(U) (20), CPM (16), BJD (14), TDP (6), CPI (4) and Akali Dal (4) shared the platform with Hazare. Though the combined number of these parties is well below the halfway mark in the 543-member Lok Sabha, the fact that they chose to share the stage with Hazare a day after his direct attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is fraught with ominous signal for the Congress on this issue.

That they chose to ignore Team Anna’s disparaging remarks against the entire political class early in their Jan Lokpal campaign indicated the intention of these eight parties to put the Congress on mat in Parliament on issues being championed by Hazare. Leaders of this group appeared almost united on the issues of bringing Prime Minister, lower bureaucracy and investigation wing of CBI under the proposed Lokpal. This may mean that the idea has the support of 201 MPs.


“The PM is also a minister of many ministries and he is responsible for taking decisions. If the PM is not brought under the Lokpal, then who will take care of the corruption in the ministries,” CPI leader A B Bardhan said.

BJP leader Arun Jaitley echoed similar sentiments, saying, “We demand everybody who is in the government should come under the purview of Lokpal. We oppose the PM’s non-inclusion in the Lokpal Bill.”

The leaders also supported giving Lokpal control over investigation into corruption cases by the CBI. “The ruling parties have been using the CBI for their political advantage... there is a need to have an autonomous, independent CBI,” JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said.

However, the leaders laid bare their frustration with Team Anna’s inflexible stand and cautioned them. “Team Anna should not expect that each and every point it makes is accepted. They should show some flexibility. They should not think the entire wisdom of the world is with nine-10 people (Team Anna). There is no dearth of scholars in a country of 120 crore. Team Anna should also listen to others and have the patience to listen to others,” Bardhan said.

“You should not presume that all politicians are dishonest.... You should not insist for identical (to Jan Lokpal) Bill,” said SP’s Ram Gopal Yadav amid shouts against him.

Hazare magic works, and is for all time!

The picture on the lead story in the morning papers with Anna Hazare flanked by CPI leader A.B.Bardhan, CPM leader Brinda Karat and BJP leader Arun Jaitley has made my day. It speaks volumes of the dramatic swing in the mood of the nation during the past several months.

The Hazare magic worked again yesterday in Delhi, and it is appropriate that he is getting the political support. Credit also goes to Hazare that he crossed the Rubicon instead of branding all politicians with the same brush. It’s been a leap of faith for both sides, and the nation is the gainer for it.

A near-total proximity of views has emerged between Hazare and the opposition parties. What I liked best were the two thoughts in particular, which were almost unanimously expressed at the Jantar Mantar debate.
One, Prime MInister’s Office [PMO] should be brought within the purview of the Lokpal, because, as Comrade Bardhan put it - and only he could have said it with the full moral authority and insight and far-sightedness as one of the country’s most experienced political leaders today - PMO has become the “clearing house” of several decisions that subsequently turned out to be scams.

The second issue is about keeping the Central Bureau of Investigation, the country’s main investigative agency, outside the control of the government. The erosion that this institution has suffered because of political interference from incumbent governments is a key factor in the cascading corruption that we see today.
What a legacy for prime minister Manmohan Singh! With the economy in doldrums and the country in drift, his historical legacy is going to be that he presided over the most corrupt government in independent India’s history. What comes to mind is Enoch Powell’s quote (although I detest his politics): “All political lives, unless they are cut off in midstream at a happy juncture, end in failure, because that is the nature of politics and of human lives.”

MS should have quit instead of organising the cattle show in July 2008 simply for ramming down the throat of the opposition his pet project, the US-India nuclear deal. To my mind, that was when he first fumbled - and exposed himself, except that he probably didn’t realise it himself.

Political parties use stage, grind own axe

NEW DELHI: The show of strength by major political parties, including BJP and Left, was driven by the recognition that activist Anna Hazare had struck a chord with the people on the issue of corruption. But party leaders used the opportunity not just to express solidarity with Hazare's campaign, but also to push their pet political agendas.

So, TDP's K Yerran Naidu used the forum to talk about political influence on CBI while protesting against the agency investigating Chandrababu Naidu. CPM's Brinda Karat struck a familiar note, attacking big corporates and their "loot'' of public money. Shiromani Akali Dal reminded the country about lack of justice for victims of 1984 Sikh riots.

Karat, a CPM politburo member, charged big corporate houses with looting the country and demanded they should be brought under the Lokpal. "They (private companies) will have to be brought under Lokpal. They are looting the country whether it is black money, 2G spectrum, mining leases or land acquisition," she said.

She also argued for inclusion of MPs in its ambit. This was supported by BJP with the rider that if a corrupt practice took place outside the confines of Parliament, the representative should be charged.

TDP's Naidu taunted Rahul Gandhi saying he was speaking about corruption only when faced with an election in Uttar Pradesh. He accused Congress of using CBI for political gains. "This is why the government does not want CBI within the Lokpal,'' he said, adding that TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu was implicated in false cases by the agency.

Akali Dal's S S Dhindsa stressed on the need for an independent authority, saying there was still no justice for victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Anna Hazare's methods are not Gandhian: Tushar Gandhi

NEW DELHI: As Anna Hazare sat on a one-day fast demanding a strong Lokpal, Mahatma Gandhi's great grandson Tushar Gandhi on Sunday attacked the activist saying his methods are "not Gandhian" as they are becoming a "mere ritual".

"His methods are not Gandhian because this is now turning into a mere ritual that every time he lands up in Delhi, he goes to Rajghat. It does not seem to be that the inspiration carry any further than that... because there is talks about beating up and hitting people," he said.

His remarks came as Hazare went to Rajghat and spend around half-an-hour meditating there.

"I would wish that more than the ritual, the understanding (of Gandhian principles) would be there, then the inspiration would be genuine," he said.

Hazare to address rally in city

The Karnataka chapter of India Against Corruption (IAC) is organising a public rally on December 17 at Freedom Park to “save” the institution of Lokayukta.

Social activist Anna Hazare, the former Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde and freedom fighter H.S. Doreswamy will address the rally.

‘Systematic attempt'

IAC coordinator Prithivi Reddy told presspersons on Saturday that the Lokayukta had become a real threat to those indulging in corruption in the State. There was a systematic attempt to weaken the institution and some political leaders were also questioning the need for such an institution. Senior Lokayukta officers were being threatened by political leaders, he said, and added that the rally was aimed at protecting the institution.

R. Balasubramaniam of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement, Mysore, S.R. Hiremath of Samaj Parivartana Samudaya, K.S. Puttanniah of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Raghavendra Kushtagi of Jana Sangrama Parishat would participate in the rally.

IAC is planning similar rallies in Mysore, Gulbarga, Dharwad, Tumkur, Chickballapur.

Anna Hazare says govt has cheated entire country, Congress lashes out at him

NEW DELHI: Accusing Team Anna of "practising an extreme form of intolerance", Abhishek Singhvi, senior Congress leader and chairman of the Parliamentary panel on Lokpal, said attacking those who do not agree with their view is a negation of democracy.

"None of this is surprising. As usual and true to form Team Anna is practising an extreme form of intolerance, namely those who do not agree 100 per cent with their view must be condemned with personal attack and vilification," Singvi said.

He said this is a "negation of democracy" itself because Team Anna has decided that "no one in the nation, be it Parliamentary Committee, Parliament or the Cabinet, can ever disagree with them."

"This is most unfortunate and regrettable," said Singhvi who is also an eminent lawyer and spokesperson of Congress.

His remarks came close on the heels of Anna Hazare's attack on the Committee for its "weak report" on the eve of his day-long fast.

Govt has cheated entire country: Anna 

On the eve of day-long fast to protest against the Parliamentary Standing Committee report on Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare today said government has "cheated" the entire country and that he will carry on his campaign till next Lok Sabha elections to create awareness against UPA.

The social activist said he suspected that Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi was behind Standing Committee rejecting even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's promise to include the Citizen's charter, lower bureaucracy and establishment of Lok Ayuktas in the states.

"They have cheated the whole country. The Prime Minister had given in writing that these three issues would be brought under the Lokpal Bill...The Prime Minister's letter was thrown into the dustbin. Why this volte face? Is Singhvi's post higher than that of the Prime Minister," Hazare told reporters here.

"There is somebody behind... Who is bigger than the Prime Minister?... We suspect Rahul Gandhi could be behind this... Who else can dare to challenge the Prime Minister? That is why there are these problems," Hazare said, alleging that their intentions are "not good".

He was referring to Standing Committee headed by Abhishek Singhvi which has disfavoured inclusion of Group C and D employees and kept out Citizen's charter and Lokayukta.

Hazare, who will hold a day-log fast at jantar mantar tomorrow, said he will resume his anti-corruption agitation from December 27 and then carry on this for next two years till the Lok Sabha elections.

"We will continue to fight for the next two years. We will move around the whole country before the general elections to create public awareness," he said and asked "Why to retain those who have destroyed the country?"

Anna blames Rahul Gandhi for parliamentary committee's Lokpal report

Ralegan Siddhi/New Delhi:  Anna Hazare today attacked the Parliamentary Standing Committee report on Lokpal, saying it was fooling people while his team questioned its "credibility" saying it had the support of only 12 MPs.

He alleged the report will not help in any way to fight corruption and repeated his charge that Rahul Gandhi was behind the recommendations of the panel.

"The issues remain the same. This means the Standing Committee has fooled the public. Their report does not help in fighting corruption," he told reporters in Ralegan Siddhi.

Renewing his demand for inclusion of the lower bureaucracy under the ambit of Lokpal, Hazare said government wants to bring Group C and D employees under Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). "The CVC is under government, it will do what the government says. Then what is the point," he said.

He also objected to the Standing Committee's recommendation to keep MPs' conduct inside Parliament out of the ombudsman's ambit asking "why are they scared".

"Even a school boy would know that it is a trick," he said.

His colleagues in Delhi, meanwhile, attacked the Parliamentary Standing Committee questioning the credibility of its report.

"Standing Committee had 30 members. Two never attended. Sixteen dissented. So this report is supported by the balance 12. Seven are from the Congress, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Amar Singh and rest from Mayawati's BSP. So much for the credibility of this report," prominent Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal said.

However, panel chairman Abhishek Singhvi had earlier said that a dissent note by an MP does not mean that he or she is against the entire report and they may be expressing their reservations against one or more points.

Hazare, who will be fasting on Sunday in protest against the exclusion of his key demands like bringing the lower bureaucracy under Lokpal, said the government was saying from the beginning that they will bring a strong Lokpal Bill but they have brought a very weak bill.

"Who is behind this? The Prime Minister has written to me.

Pranab Mukherjee wrote to the Standing Committee that Parliament has passed a resolution. But the Standing Committee says it has not received any communication. Is this a government or a trader's shop?" he said.

However, the Standing Committee report made public today clearly mentions that the panel was in the know of the Parliament resolution. "...There was a detailed discussion on the statement of the Minister of Finance on the issues relating to the setting up of the Lokpal in both the Houses of Parliament on the 27th August, 2011," it said.

Hazare said he trusts Parliament but asserted that a "show-off" draft will not help things.

Team Anna also said they will oppose "tooth and nail" the Standing Committee proposals on the ombudsman which they claimed is taking the anti-corruption systems in the country two steps backward.

Claiming that the committee recommendations, if implemented, would increase corruption and disintegrate CBI's functioning, Kejriwal said, "This report takes our anti- corruption systems two steps back. We must oppose this report tooth and nail".

Lawyer Prashant Bhushan said the proposals were likely to increase corruption rather than being able to control it.

Activist Kiran Bedi said, "Damage is done by keeping CBI's investigation powers out of Lokpal - whole reason for the Lokpal? Will Parliament undo?"

Bedi said the fears about diluting the Lokpal were not unfounded.

Was FDI Just a Smokescreen?

In New Delhi, much like in other capitals, political gossip is often dominated by theorizing about why politicians do the things they do. In Delhi, this theorizing often arrives at an intriguing answer: Indian politicians often do one thing in order to accomplish something else altogether.

Consider the theory that has been circulating around town in recent days as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his government have been pilloried over another seemingly self-inflicted political wound – in this case, the government’s clumsy handling of the ill-fated decision to allow foreign retailers into India. Political analysts almost uniformly describe the situation as a disaster.

But has it been?

According to the widely discussed theory, Congress Party leaders did not misplay the foreign direct investment issue in the slightest.

No, not at all.

True, Parliament was paralyzed for days in a logjam that blocked a host of important bills from being discussed, debated and voted upon. True, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had threatened to bring down the coalition government.

But this was all by design.

What was actually happening, according to the theory, was a well-orchestrated diversion. Congress party leaders wanted a paralyzed Parliament and they wanted a huge political distraction (even though it made them look fairly incompetent). What they most wanted was to avoid having a parliamentary debate over a powerful Lokpal, the anti-corruption agency advocated by none other than activist Anna Hazare.

How to accomplish this? Shut down Parliament, of course.

And what of the foreign direct investment measure, upon which rode untold billions of dollars in anticipated investment, an initiative that many economists predicted could boost the sagging Indian economy?

According to the theory, it was a political smokescreen.

It had to be because otherwise the government surely would have been smart enough to wait until Parliament had adjourned before introducing the foreign direct investment measure, thus avoiding all the mayhem and gridlock.

One thing about such theories, of course, is they are rooted not only in an easy cynicism but also in the belief that politicians are actually far smarter and more skilled than they often appear.

Theory ran into reality on Wednesday, when Pranab Mukherjee, the finance minister and the Congress party’s top political fixer, stood in the floor of the Lok Sabha, or lower house of Parliament, and announced that the government would suspend any action on multi-brand foreign retail investment until a “consensus” had been reached on the issue.

In the meantime, Mr. Mukherjee said it was imperative that members of Parliament get back to work and address other key bills before the end of the winter session.

One can only hope he meant it.