No takers for Rahul idea,LS criticises vilification

Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj addressed not just the three sticky points but also held forth on the BJP’s position on other questions,such as the inclusion of the PM and higher judiciary under the Lokpal.

Swaraj did not hesitate taking a swipe at the ruling establishment over the mishandling of the situation since it began in April.

“While the Prime Minister demonstrated statesmanship one day,the Congress general secretary (Rahul Gandhi) poured cold water over it the other say,” Swaraj said,referring to Rahul’s self-claimed “game changer” position enunciated in the Lok Sabha yesterday. “I am happy that the Prime Minister has wrested control again.”

Incidentally,Rahul’s suggestion of making the Lokpal a constitutional body did not find many takers.

Swaraj,in fact,went on to suggest how the contentious issue of providing for state Lokayukta in the Lokpal Bill through Article 252.

In response,Sandeep Dikshit of the Congress responded that the three demands of Hazare could be met with some “caveats”. Pointing out that Team Anna’s Jan Lokpal Bill itself has been amended about a dozen times,Dikshit said that it indicated that their version was “not sacrosanct” either.

The leaders of smaller parties dwelt on the specific issues but with a reference to their support bases.

MPs across party lines also rallied against the vilification campaign against them in the backdrop of Team Anna’s movement.