Uproar in Maha Assembly over Hazare stand

Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare’s demand for constituting a joint committee having 50 per cent representation from the civil society to prepare the draft for the Jan Lokpal Bill disrupted proceedings of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

Members supported Hazare's drive against corruption but took strong objection to the method adopted by him. They argued that it has been the job of the Parliament and Legislature to make laws and during this process suggestions were welcomed from the members of the civil society.

Veteran Shiv Sena leader and former minister Suresh Jain questioned Hazare’s demand saying a non-elected person cannot dictate terms on how the bill should be drafted.

“If the government accepts Hazare's demand for a joint committee to draft the Lokpal Bill, it would set a bad precedent and any member of the public could make similar demand. Besides, Hazare and the media are at the forefront to project that all politicians are corrupt. Such a stand is objectionable.”

Jain was critical of the method adopted by Hazare to address the issue and said the Constitution of India has given specific role to the executive, legislature and judiciary and it should remain unaltered.

Jain had taken on Hazare even in the past exposing irregularities of the trust in Ahmadnagar district of Maharashtra run by the noted activist. Hazare had openly campaigned against Jain for his alleged involvement in several cases of corruption. Both Hazare and Jain had sat on hunger strike for eight days and finally allegations made by the duo were looked into by a commission. Jain on Wednesday had told TV channels that Hazare was a fraud and he should not be compared with Mahatma Gandhi.

Meanwhile, Jain’s argument that the legilsature's role should be protected was supported by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena group leader Bal Nandgaonkar. “Everybody wants corruption to be uprooted from the country. However, this cannot be done by undermining the role of the legislature.” Ruling Nationalist Congress Party legislator Shashikant Shinde echoed similar views.