Team Anna ups ante for bringing CBI under Lok Pal

Team Anna today said extension of Winter Session of Parliament will be worth only if a strong Lok Pal Bill is brought with CBI out of government control.

"Extension will be worth if it is for a strong Lok Pal with CBI out of government control and with Lok Pal. Everything depends on the content of the bill," activist Kiran Bedi told PTI.

She was reacting to reports about government deciding to extend the Winter Session by three days from December 27 to facilitate the passage of the Lok Pal Bill and some other key legislations.

Team Anna also asked the BJP whether it was determined on Lok Pal as it was on issues of JPC probe into 2G scam and FDI in retail and cautioned the opposition party against "double speak" on the question of bringing CBI under the ombudsman.

"Is BJP as determined as it was in JPC and FDI on Lok Pal? When will BJP make its stand on CBI categorical. Now that Congress' is evident!" Bedi said.

She also warned the main opposition party that it will be a "bigger loser if it does double speak" on CBI. "People will not forgive them either," she said.

Bedi also said that it was "frustrating to be waiting to see" what Congress does. "It changes every minute," she added.

Her comments came as government raced against time to firm up Lok Pal Bill in view of the looming threat of Anna Hazare to go on hunger strike from December 27 if Parliament fails to pass a strong Lok Pal Bill.

Pressing for inclusion of CBI under the Lok Pal, she said, "Unless independent Lok Pal replaces government for oversight over CBI, expect no change in the anti-corruption systems. Let's not be fooled. Mere tweaking will not work. It will dilute whatever is remaining

"If we leave any weak point in Lok Pal bill and we do not see substantial reduction in corruption it shall be a dream shattered. Now or Never!"