BeyondHeadlines News Desk
New Delhi: Anna Hazare’s ongoing fast-unto-death against corruption rocked Parliament today as the main opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), attacked the government for failing to take appropriate measures to curb the menace.
Initiating the debate inside Lok Sabha (lower house of Indian Parliament) under Rule 193, senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi said: “The ongoing protests against the government are a warning sign that it had failed to take action. The protests and demonstrations indicate rising public sentiment against the government for its lack of action. ”
Coming down heavily on the government, the BJP leader said, “The government has been trying to scuttle the voices of those who have raised concerns against corruption. The government has been trying to suppress the people’s voice against the corrupt.”
Stressing that the government’s version of the Lokpal is weak and has many loose ends, Joshi said, “The BJP supports a strong and effective anti-corruption legislation to tackle the menace.”
Continuing the debate, Joshi said, “It is ironical that the UPA government has been involved in one scam after another. It is shameful that several government ministers are under scanner for their role in various scams. “
Citing the Transparency International (TI) report, Joshi said, “Corruption is rampant in India and inspite of acting against the corrupt and bringing back the black money, the government has been trying to keep all details secret.”
Claiming that there is a crisis in the credibility of the UPA government, Joshi said that his party awaits a favourable statement from the government that would end the ongoing stalemate over corruption.
Similarly, the debate in Rajya Sabha was opened by the Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley, who said, “People had lost faith in government’s ability to tackle corruption and it needed to restore credibility.”
Asking the government to introspect, the BJP leader said, “The issue of corruption is important and in the last few days it has acquired centrestage because of the movement launched by Anna Hazare. All of us are anxiously waiting for a settlement to be reached… (so) the government comes out with adequate steps in bill to tackle corruption.”
Calling it a “historic chance”, Jaitley said Parliament was the ultimate law making body which takes into account public opinion – and it couldn’t be louder than this.
“Government should take effective steps to tackle the problem of corruption. We must have honest analysis where have we gone wrong. There is a serious crisis and erosion as far as the credibility of the government is concerned.”
“People have lost faith that normal mechanism formed by government can tackle corruption. So there is a need for honest and serious introspection to accept truthfully situation on ground,” he said.
He called for an urgent need to restore credibility of government by forming a stringent law that acts as a deterrent to those involved in corruption.
Jaitley also appealed to Anna Hazare to end his fast as his health was deteriorating and said the life of the 74-year-old leader is precious for the country.
Hazare’s fast entered the ninth day Wednesday.
