Jaitley writes to Hazare, says will support strong Lok Pal Bill

Hazare had earlier written to Jaitley seeking his support in passage of Lok Pal Bill

As the fast-unto-death of social activist Anna Hazare entered its second day, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) told him that they were committed to the passage of a strong Lok Pal Bill.

Arun Jaitley, leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, wrote to Hazare saying, “My party and I am fully committed to the highest norms of public accountability and therefore believe the Lok Pal should be brought into force immediately”.

Hazare had earlier written to Jaitley and sought his support in the passage of the Lok Pal Bill.

Hazare was today joined by former top cop Kiran Bedi in his fast for a strong anti-corruption Bill.

Jaitley questioned the intentions of the government and said the Bill was diluted by them by dropping some of the suggestions made by the Rajya Sabha Select Committee. He pointed out to Hazare in his reply that even the diluted bill has not been listed by the government on the agenda of the ongoing Winter Session.

“It appears that the government is not sincere in getting it placed on the said agenda. I can assure you in view of the public position my party has adopted that we will be second to none in pursuing this issue,” Jaitley said.

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and its member of the national executive Kumar Vishwas will leave for Ralegan Sidhi on Thursday where Anna Hazare is on indefinite fast from today. The official Facebook page of the political party said that they are going "not to sit on the stage but to express support and solidarity for their mentor and the cause of a strong Lokpal".

Kejriwal and Vishwas were active participants in the nationwide movement of Hazare demanding the passage of Jan Lokpal Bill before they formed the AAP last year.