Lokpal Bill: Anna Hazare threatens protest at Jantar Mantar on Dec 11

NEW DELHI: Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare has threatened to hold a dharna here on December 11 in the event of the Parliament Standing Committee on Lokpal making recommendations that are not to his satisfaction.

Hazare's plans to stage a day-long protest at Jantar Mantar came after the standing panel on personnel vetting the bill recommended keeping out judiciary and MPs' conduct in House out of Lokpal's purview and rejected the demand for hiving off the prosecution wing of CBI to come under its jurisdiction.

The draft report circulated to members, which would come up for finalisation on November 30, favours Lokpal's jurisdiction over corporates, media and NGOs in so far as receipt of donations from public within the country or from foreign sources.

Members unanimously recommended conferring constitutional status on the Lokpal and setting up of Lokpal and Lokayuktas in states under one legislation.

However, the draft has not taken a position on inclusion of prime minister in the ambit of Lokpal. The issue will be considered at Wednesday's meeting.

Another of Team Anna's demand for inclusion of entire bureaucracy has been turned down, with the draft report only favouring inclusion of Group B, along with Group A officials and leaving out the entire C and D staff.

Hazare's exhortation, "please join the dharna at Jantar Mantar on December 11 for a strong Jan Lokpal," seems to be in reaction to this. The parliamentary panel is likely to submit its report before December 7.

Confusion prevailed over Hazare's plan to stage a protest at Ramlila Maidan from December 27. While Team Anna said it has already got the necessary clearances from the municipal authority, MCD standing committee chairman Yogender Chandolia claimed no such permission has been granted by the civic body.

"No permission has been given yet," Chandolia, a senior local BJP leader, said when asked about claims by Team Anna that it has been allowed to use the Ramlila Maidan from December 27 to January 5 for a protest in case Parliament failed to pass the Bill in the winter session.

However, a senior municipal official said the MCD has received an application from Team Anna to book the maidan. "Team Anna has stated that it wants the ground after the winter session of Parliament. No dates were mentioned. We told them that we have to see the bookings," the official said.

Meanwhile, Abhishek Singhvi, who is heading the parliamentary panel, said, "There is no need for premature reaction by us. Let the report come, be seen, analysed and absorbed. Otherwise, reacting to anyone now will be treated as nothing more or less than premeditated conclusions."

Team Anna Defends Bedi, Says Case False

Team Anna on Monday came out in defence of its member Kiran Bedi, claiming that the misappropriation case against her is false and malicious and meant as a backlash against her determination to fight for a strong Lokpal.

“The complaint of misappropriation of funds against Kiran Bedi is false, malicious and malafide....It was lodged against Bedi not for fraud or cheating but for fighting for a strong Lokpal bill,” Kejriwal told reporters in Ghaziabad.

Claiming that efforts were still on to defame Team Anna members, he said: “We want to say it categorically that it is a false complaint. The court order is wrong. There is no prima facie evidence supporting this complaint.” Kiran Bedi and her lawyer Somnath Bharti were present at the press conference.