Cong cautious on Hazare issue
The Congress Party is treading cautiously following social activist Anna Hazare’s fast unto death on the Lokpal Bill issue after realising that it can isolate the party in the middle of the electoral battle in the five state Assemblies.
The party has already been on defensive on the corruption issue after the 2G, CWG, Adarsha housing scams and WikiLeaks revelations.
Though a section of the party is questioning the pressure tactics by Mr Hazare and his “dictatorial” attitude giving too much importance to the civil society at the cost of democratic institutions, a change in the tone of the party became visible on Wednesday.
Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said that her party does not find any fault with Mr Hazare’s agitation and added that a national debate is required on this issue.
“It requires a great need of discussion before a wide consensus is arrived. The bill is a matter of national debate. There is a bill, which the government has brought. Anna Hazare is suggesting something else. There are many views and discussions should happen,” she said.
The tone of the party spokesperson on Wednesday was in sharp contrast to the strong disapproval of Mr Hazare’s agitation by party spokesperson Manish Tewari, who had on Tuesday said the agitation was “premature” and “unnecessary”.
A few party leaders speaking on condition of anonymity had also said they believed the RSS to be behind the agitation.
However, Ms Natarajan evaded an answer when asked whether she suspected any such thing. “I am not saying this” was her response to questions on the issue.
Ms Natarajan said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was extremely serious about the matter and has gone much too far than anybody else on this, adding the Congress is always committed to fighting corruption.
Ms Natarajan declined a response when asked about Mr Hazare’s remarks about Union minister Sharad Pawar. “Ministers are empowered to speak for themselves. Whatever he (Hazare) says about GoM, the latter will answer,” she said.
The talk in the Congress circles is that the services of some of the NAC members could be utilised to convince Mr Hazare to call off his stir and hold discussions with the government to finetune the bill and give the inputs. Ms Natarajan’s refrain was that a wide consensus can be evolved on the ticklish measure with the Prime Minister himself making his intentions clear in the matter. She said the measures suggested by Mr Hazare and his associates have “far-reaching constitutional implications”.
“I am not saying their way is wrong. But they should come forward and discuss the the issue. The Prime Minister has already constituted a sub-committee before which they can give their views...All stake holders should come and express their views,” she said.
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