Veteran anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare is on a indefinite hunger strike to press for the passage of the Lokpal Bill, on Sunday said he believes the Lokpal Bill approved by the select committee of the Rajya Sabha is good, added that people who detest this bill should also protest like him.
"All the 16 issues are important. It is true that we have compromised on the three issues but the thirteen other issues are equally important. The bill is for the welfare of the people. I have had a look at the 13 issues and then I told the government that the bill that I welcome they have put forth,"
"I am obliged to the government to put forth the bill in the Rajya Sabha. Now everyone is saying that the first issue they take up in the Rajya Sabha will be of the Lokpal bill. All the parties have agreed to it, even Mayawati. In such a scenario if a few people make noise does not matter. If some people make noise while passing the bill let the do it. If they fall short of time they can extend it. I believe it is a good Lokpal bill," Anna said.
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."
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.
Hazare's initial hunger strike brought millions of sympathizers out on streets and forced the government into a series of U-turns.
Also Read
Hazare said that miserable performance of the ruling Congress party was a result of backing out to bring the Lokpal bill.
However, many political experts believe that had the Congress brought the Jan Lokpal bill then they would have not failed so badly in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections nor would they have faced electoral drubbing in Goa and Punjab assembly polls, or the recent Assembly elections for Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.