Congress avoids comment on bringing PM under Lokpal
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The Congress on Monday preferred not to comment on the debate over bringing the prime minister within the ambit of the Lokpal, saying it would speak on the matter after the bill is drafted to create an ombudsman to tackle corruption.
Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said the issue of who should be within the ambit of the Lokpal was being over-emphasised. “Who should be in or out of it is getting over-emphasised. Wait for the joint drafting process to play out,” Tewari told reporters here. Asked about Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh speaking in favour of bringing the Prime Minister under the Lokpal’s purview, Tewari said the party leader had already made it clear that his opinion was personal.
The Joint Drafting Committee on the Lokpal Bill has five union ministers and five members of civil society as its members. It is headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee. The government has said it wants to complete the work of drafting the bill by June 30 and bring it to Parliament in the Monsoon Session. Tewari said once the Drafting Committee completes its work, the party would comment on the Lokpal Bill in Parliament.
“Once a process is in play and experienced people are engaged, it is not necessary to comment,” he said. The Congress spokesman said the Drafting Committee has already written to political parties for their views on the bill. Civil society activist Arvind Kejriwal on Monday sought to know why government leaders were opposed to bringing the Prime Minister within the Lokpal’s purview. He said five ministers had opposed inclusion of the Prime Minister within the Lokpal’s purview.
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