Bangalore: Adopting a flexible approach over
the government`s Lokpal Bill, former Karnataka Lokayukta
Santosh Hegde today suggested Team Anna to allow the Centre to
pass the bill in "some form" after conceding some points.
"Today I spoke to some members of Team Anna and
suggested them to allow government to pass the bill in some
form after conceding some points," Hegde, also a member of
Team Anna, told PTI over phone from Mangalore.
Hegde suggested Team Anna to concede the power of Jan
Lokpal by allowing CBI to probe only those complaints coming
to them, but not compromise on the demand to bring CBI under
purview of Jan Lokpal while probing Lokpal-related complaints.
"There should be no compromise over bringing CBI under
the Jan Lokpal, but the former should be allowed to
investigate complaints directly coming to them," he clarified.
Hegde, however, said he did not agree with some points
and stands taken by some members of Team Anna. "I don?t come
out because the media may say there is a split in Team Anna."
Hegde said he wanted to see the Lokpal Bill (with some
concessions) passed in the winter session of Parliament as
people have waited for it for over four decades.
Reacting to Union Minister of State in PMO V
Narayanasamy`s remarks, Hegde said dealing with Lokpal issue
with an iron hand is not a sign of democracy.
I hope he (Narayanaswamy) knows the meaning of the
word `democracy`," he hit back at Narayanaswamy`s comment that
the Lokpal issue would be dealt with an iron hand.
It is the people of India who have accepted democracy,
not the politicians,he said."The very first word in the Indian
Constitution says `We the people of India..`," Hegde said.
"A team of five members cannot pressurise the government on
passing a bill. A bill can be passed only in Parliament after
voting. Parliament alone can pass the bill, and not by someone
on the streets or maidans. They cannot decide for Parliament.
We will handle this with an iron hand," Narayanasamy had said.
Asked if he would join Hazare`s fast in Mumbai on Dec27,
Hegde said,"I have committments till Dec29."
PTI
