CWC takes tough stand on civil society onslaught

Putting an end to reports of differences between the party and the government over the strategy to deal with the civil society onslaught, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today led the party to support the Manmohan Singh government.

Barely a week before the all-party meet on the Lok Pal Bill on July 3, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) met this evening to discuss the issue and concluded the government should not come under pressure from a handful of civil society members. The CWC was also of the view that the Prime Minister should not come under the purview of the Lok Pal.

“Most CWC members was of the opinion that it was not right to bow before the demands of four or five people because it would affect the democratic process. Some individuals are trying to become representatives of the people and pressurise the government but it cannot be allowed,” said chief spokesperson Janardan Dwivedi. He also ignored Anna Hazare’s threat to sit on another hunger strike from August 16.

General secretary Digvijay Singh told the meet that the Anna Hazare team was a mask of the RSS-BJP and there was need to tackle the bigger threat of saffron forces.

In her initial remarks, Gandhi set the tone of the proceedings, saying that from time to time she and the Prime Minister discuss issues related to corruption. “She said the government is serious about corruption,” said Dwivedi.

After Gandhi’s initial remarks, Pranab Mukherjee was asked to give a briefing on the various contentious issues of the proposed bill. Later, P Chidambaram also explained certain legal provisions of the proposed bill. According to sources, the Ramdev episode was not discussed.

After the initial voice of dissent within the party on the way Ramdev was received at the airport (four ministers rushed to hold a meeting with him) most of the 16 CWC members felt today that social activists should not be encouraged by the government.