Rahul to blame for Lokpal flip-flop, says Anna
December 2nd, 2011 - 9:43 pm ICT by IANS
Ralegan-Siddhi (Maharashtra), Dec 2 (IANS) Anna Hazare Friday blamed Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi for the Lokpal parliamentary panel, in a sudden about turn, deciding against bringing Group C government employees within the ombudsman’s ambit.
“It seems there is no coordination in the government. The standing committee had decided (to include) and then Rahul Gandhi might have suggested something else,” Hazare told reporters here.
“Rahul Gandhi must have influenced change in decision to exclude Group C and D from Lokpal ambit. Rahul had suggested that Lokpal should be made a constitutional body, but then there should not be any government interference,” he said.
“What else can be the reason for changing a decision? I think Rahul Gandhi must have told them don’t bring class 3 and 4 officers. Public will teach them a lesson,” Hazare added.
Hazare was referring to the decision of the parliamentary panel studying the Lokpal bill to keep around six million Group C employees - the bottom layer of government officials - out of the anti-graft ombudsman. Ten members of the 31-member panel submitted a note of dissent on the draft report Thursday.
Hazare, who led two successful anti-corruption campaigns in New Delhi in April and August, said he would be sitting on a protest agitation on Dec 27 to demand a strong Lokpal.
“When we sit on 27th, you will listen what people of the country have to say to you. It was not an office clerk who promised (for a strong Lokpal), it was the chief of a nation. This is cheating with public,” he added.
He is also holding a day’s protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Dec 11.
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- FDI standoff an excuse not to bring Lokpal, alleges Hazare - Dec 02, 2011
- Malicious misinformation that Congress is not tackling graft: Sonia - Dec 21, 2011
- Lokpal panel finalises report, Team Anna rejects it - Dec 07, 2011
- Government's Lokpal bill is useless: Anna - Dec 22, 2011
- Government not serious about fighting graft, says Hazare - Dec 07, 2011
- Hazare set for Mumbai fast, Delhi protest (Lead) - Dec 26, 2011
- Hazare renews 'jail bharo' threat over 'weak' Lokpal bill - Dec 22, 2011
- Anna gets Left, right support for strong Lokpal (Roundup) - Dec 11, 2011
- Lokpal panel likely to finalise report Nov 30 - Nov 28, 2011
- Lokpal bill in parliament Thursday, Sonia says she will fight for it (Roundup) - Dec 21, 2011
- Hazare leaves for Delhi to hold token fast - Dec 10, 2011
- Civil society upset over 'sarkari' Lokpal (Lead) - Jul 28, 2011
Tags: agitation, anna hazare, anti graft, bottom layer, class 3, constitutional body, dissent, draft report, flip flop, general secretary, government employees, government interference, maharashtra, mantar, member panel, ombudsman, parliamentary panel, rahul gandhi, ralegan siddhi, standing committee