Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Targeting politicians has become a trend, says Sharad Yadav on Team Anna's comments

New Delhi:  In the wake of comments made by Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal calling parliamentarians rapists and murderers, Sharad Yadav of the Janta Dal (United) today moved a censure motion in the Parliament. At a formal discussion held by Members of Parliament on language used by Team Anna against them, Mr Yadav said that attacking the MPs has now become a trend.

"There is a trend of targeting politicians. People should stay within their limits. We can take criticism...This house has thrown out corrupt people," said Mr Yadav.

"Election Commission and Parliament should not be attacked," he added.

In his blog today, 74-year-old Anna said politicians and their "who are you to question us" attitude is an insult to the Constitution.

He said that he accepts and respects the prerogative of Parliament to form laws. However, he said, political leaders have failed the nation because they have not been able to introduce critical laws like the Lokpal Bill, which is designed to fight corruption. Through last year, the Gandhian and his aides have campaigned for the urgent need for a new ombudsman called the Lokpal. Its nine members will be empowered to investigate complaints of graft against public servants. It was because of Anna's hunger strikes last year and the massive public support they drew that Parliament began debating the Lokpal bill in December. The bill has been passed in the Lok Sabha, but is stuck in the Rajya Sabha, where opposition parties have demanded a series of major amendments.

In the past, parties like the BJP have backed Anna's movement. But yesterday, Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj delivered a scathing indictment of the activists. In the Lok Sabha, she said that the activists describe Members of Parliament as  rapists and thieves. It was the same MPs, she said, who agreed in August last year to consider 74-year-old Anna's vision of a new anti-corruption Lokpal Bill.

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