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.
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