New Delhi: With Anna`s team all set to
release results of a survey in Rahul Gandhi`s constituency
Amethi on Lokpal bill, Congress on Thursday dared the civil society
leader to contest elections from areas where such exercises
had been conducted.
"As far as his survey is concerned, he should take a
chance from Chandani Chowk first. He could go to Amethi
later," party spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters when
asked about claims of Hazare team about huge public support
for their Jan Lokpal bill.
Tewari also referred to the opening line of a Bollywood
song telling Anna to take a chance if he has so much faith in
himself (Apne pe bharosa hai to ek daao laga le).
Asked about Hazare`s threat that he will go on a hunger
strike on August 16 if the Standing Committee does not send
back the government`s draft on Lokpal Bill to Parliament by
then, Tewari said the Gandhian had not made any such demand
before the Committee.
"Anna team said no such thing when they came before the
committee. Anna Hazare did not say there that the committee
should return the draft to Parliament by August 16. He
affirmed his commitment to Parliamentary democracy and for
the rule of law. He said he never made a statement, which was
derogatory to Parliament or MPs.
If they are saying that they told all this to the
committee, it is wrong and I would personally favour that the
verbatim transcript of his meeting with the Committee be
circulated to the media for the sake of larger interests,"
Tewari said.
He claimed that the Committee had told Anna`s team that
they need to work constructively with Parliament on the issue
as their approach was not appropriate in a Parliamentary
democracy.
"I wish he goes by the advice of the committee," he said.
PTI
