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Congress happy, Team Anna smarts at Nitish attack

-The Indian Express

 

Under attack from Team Anna over the UPA government’s Lokpal Bill, the ruling Congress at the Centre today couldn’t hide its glee at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar snubbing the former for criticising Bihar’s draft Lokayukta Bill.

“His (Nitish’s) statement is self-speaking. At the root of his entire assertion is the fact that elected representatives owe their answers to the people,” Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said. “The essence of Kumar’s statement is correct.”

As the JD(U) also slammed Team Anna on Friday, saying there was no place for language used by it in a democracy, Shanti Bhushan said it indicated a deal between them at the Centre.

Stung by Kumar’s terse response, Bhushan said there were expectations that a “very good person” like the Bihar chief minister will bring a strong Lokayukta law. “I know Nitishji from the time of the JP movement and know him to be a very good person. So we expected a very strong Bill. But we are disappointed,” Bhushan said.

He objected that in the drafting committee for the Bihar Lokayukta, four out of seven members were from the government. “Similarly, a common man cannot lodge a complaint against the Lokayukta. The power is with the government in this bill. Suspension and removal is also with the government. I don’t know what is the deal between the two. Only Nitishji can explain it...,” he added.

“Under the draft Bihar bill, if a person is found to be filing frivolous complaints, then he can be punished for five years. Why would a person file a complaint even if it is genuine?” Bhushan asked. He pointed out that in the Bihar draft Lokayukta, the ombudsman also has to take the permission of the government before prosecuting an officer.

JD(U) leader Shivanand Tiwari said Team Anna is shining because of Anna Hazare, but were living in a fool’s paradise to think they also had the credibility to shine.

Asserting that the state Lokayukta draft had been prepared with extra care, Tiwari said: “It is not final... The government has invited opinions from the public. Why is Team Anna desperate to give a certificate on the issue?”

“The language used by Team Anna, like ‘There is only one truth and that is of ours’, and the sentiment reflects arrogance,” he added.