Karuna happy over Lokpal bill; wants Lokayuktas in states

Expressing joy over Parliament passing the Lokpal bill, DMK chief M Karunanidhi today insisted that Lokayuktas be set up in all states.

"Happy over Lokpall bill being passed," he said.

The DMK president recalled that his government had proposed a similar legislation in 1973, covering the Chief Minister, Cabinet minsters, MLAs and members of Legislative Council, among others, and that it was adopted in both the then state Assembly and the upper House.

Its provisions included a probe by a sitting high court judge and upon conviction, the accused could be jailed for seven years, while the complainant could face upto three years' imprisonment if charges were proved wrong.

However, the subsequent AIADMK government cancelled the legislation in 1977 despite DMK's opposition, he said.

"It gives happiness that a law (like the one) enacted by DMK has been passed by Parliament after 40 years. Following Lokpal, if Lokayuktas are also formed for states, the (desired) objective will be achieved, like that of the 1973 legislation," he said while responding to a set of questions in party mouthpiece 'Murasoli.'

To a question on the reported remarks made by CPI-M state unit secretary G Ramakrishnan that his party would not align with DMK, Karunanidhi said "even we have not thought about aligning with them.