Gandhian Anna Hazare on Thursday said he has no objection to making Lokpal a constitutional authority provided there is no government interference in its functioning, contrary to his team’s stand that the move is a delaying tactic.
“I am not opposed to the Lokpal being made a constitutional authority on the lines of the Election Commission which is an autonomous body. But there should not be governmental interference in its functioning,” Mr Hazare told PTI.
A Lokpal, with the status of a constitutional authority, had been proposed by Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi in an intervention during a debate on the subject in the Lok Sabha.
However, key team Anna member Kiran Bedi had questioned the government’s move, terming it a tactic to delay or avoid its passage and “fool” the people. “If the government is serious on Lokpal, it should first pass the bill by the Winter Session,” she had said.
“Constitutional status is a sure means to delay or avoid the passage of the bill,” she had added.
— PTI