Rahul Gandhi thanks Anna Hazare, says his government was committed to giving the nation a strong Lokpal Bill.
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- Category: Delhi political News
- Last Updated: Thursday, 22 January 2015 20:52
Rahul Gandhi thanks Anna Hazare, says govt committed to Lokpal Bill:
New Delhi: Social activist Anna Hazare, who has been on fast since December 10, has written a letter to Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, AICC in-charge of communication Ajay Maken said on Tuesday.
Maken said that Anna, in his letter, has appreciated Rahul Gandhi's commitment to fight against corruption. Rahul Gandhi has replied to Anna's letter, thanking him and mentioning that he is inspired by the social activist's efforts to fight against corruption.
Rahul also said that his government was committed to giving the nation a strong Lokpal Bill.
"We are committed to provide a strong Lokpal system to the country," Rahul Gandhi said in the letter.
"We respect your (Anna Hazare's) role and are grateful for your support," said Gandhi while replying to Anna's letter that was issued on Sunday. "ZEE NEWS"
On Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, who termed the current Lokpal Bill as 'Jokepal', Anna said, "Do not associate his party's thoughts with ours. His and my paths are different now. I believe in revolutions not in forming parties to change the nation, as revolution is the only way to do that. If some people think the bill not complete, they should protest against it, like I had."
The demand for a Lokpal Bill was seen as a revolutionary anti-graft movement, which in 2011 not only drew tens of thousands of Indians united against corruption onto the streets, but also stopped parliamentary proceedings and dominated the headlines for days on end.
But 18 months on, India Against Corruption (IAC) - a popular movement led by a group of the country"s prominent social activists - have split due to the decision by some members to move from activism into politics.
The IAC movement, launched in December 2010, marked the first time in India that both the poor and the middle classes were united against corruption in such large numbers.
Over the past year, India has been transfixed by a campaign led by Anna Hazare to force the government to create an ombudsman, which would prosecute corrupt politicians and bureaucrats.
Hazares initial hunger strike brought millions of sympathisers out on streets and forced the government into a series of humiliating U-turns.
But "Team Anna" had lost some steam. When Hazare launched his third hunger strike in Mumbai, just before the New Year, very few turned up and he had to call it off prematurely because he was ill.
The proposed bill envisages the setting up of a national anti-corruption watchdog to check financial mismanagement and corrupt practices that have deeply pervaded several democratic and civic institutions of India.According to "Business Standard"