Kiran Bedi feels improvements in Lokpal possible during its functioning

Former IPS officer and social activist Kiran Bedi on Sunday said the imperfection in the Lokpal Bill can be done away during its operation and added that the country needs a start as people are waiting for the bill for a longtime.

"When a machine starts up, then we get to know about its power and things it can do. We get to know about the areas where improvement is needed. Anna has said that a start is needed as people are waiting for it. Imperfection can be done away in the process of functioning," said Bedi, who is also on a fast alongside veteran anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare.

In close reference to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is opposing the current Lokpal Bill, Bedi said: "Our erstwhile friends in the revolution allege that the present bill is a 'Jokepal'. But I want that a belief should be formed that the present bill, which is being introduced by the government and other political parties, is in the right direction. Our old friends have not read the bill. I request them to read the bill."

"We are moving towards a new era, we should request the government that all the good points raised by the select committee of the Rajya Sabha should be passed by a majority. When the select committee has members from all the parties, then the credit for a good Lokpal will go to all the political parties. We don't want a credit. We just want a law," Bedi added.

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.

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.