New Delhi: Anna Hazare`s team on Tuesday described
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi`s `Sadhavana fast` as one
held for his "personal political gain" and said if public
money was spent over the three-day event, it was corruption.
The anti-corruption activist`s aides also said the country
does not need more `yatras` (Advani`s) and fast but effective
steps to fight corruption including the Jan Lokpal bill for
which they were fighting.
Replying to a question on Modi`s fast, prominent team Anna
member lawyer Prashant Bhushan said, "It was done for personal
political gain and if someone spends government money for it,
we consider it corruption."
Activist Arvind Kejriwal said the country needs a strong
Lokpal to fight corruption and it was not a yatra or fast
which was needed in Gujarat.
"We don`t need more yatras. Let the parties bring Jan
Lokayukta bills in their states. The Centre may take time for
various reasons. The ruling parties can set up Lokayuktas in
their states," he said.
Noting that a special Assembly session is being called in
Gujarat to amend the Lokayukta Act in the state, he claimed
that it was intended to give the Chief Minister more power in
appointing the ombudsman.
"There is a conflict of interests in this. If the Chief
Minister has significant powers in appointing Lokayukta, then
how will he conduct enquiries against the Chief Minister," he
said.
PTI
