Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi/Ralegan Siddhi: Continuing his fight for political reforms in the country, social activist Anna Hazare has decided to write a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the impending Right to Reject clause in elections.
Prominent member of Team Anna, Arvind Kejriwal made an announcement in this regard while addressing the media and supporters of Anna Hazare from Ralegan Siddhi.
Kejriwal announced, “Anna will write a letter to the Prime Minister over the issue of Right to Reject as option in the elections.”
“The elected representatives must be held accountable for performing their duties. We are also going to meet Chief Election Commissioner SY Quershi over this issue.” he added.
Also taking a stand on the proposed Land Acquisition Bill, Kejriwal announced, “Anna’s letter will also suggest some changes in the Land Acquisition Bill currently under purview of the Parliament.”
Kejriwal further added, “The suggestions include taking the views of Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats into consideration while deciding on the bill.”
Asked about BJP leader L K Advani's announcement of a country-wide yatra against corruption, Kejriwal made light of it, saying, "The country wants a Jan Lokpal bill, not yatra."
"All political parties which are opposed to corruption, should come together to get the bill passed. They should ensure that their MPs vote in Standing Committee and Parliament for Jan Lokpal bill," he said.
Replying to the allegations of another social activist Aruna Roy, Kejriwal said, “Aruna Roy has accused us of not discussing our version of Lokpal Bill with her. This is a false accusation and I out rightly refute it.”
“We discussed at length the bill with her on April 3rd and 4th. She also had a detailed discussion with one of our team member on April 16,” he clarified.
He claimed that Roy's team had not drafted any law but only has proposals. He said Team Anna and Roy differ on three issues -- on the inclusion of Prime Minister and lower bureaucracy and citizen's charter.
"We are open to talks. We invite Roy and her team for a public debate," he said.
Earlier today, Anna Hazare had urged people to 'gherao' houses of MPs opposed to the Jan Lokpal bill.
"We should gherao the houses of MPs opposing the Jan Lokpal bill. They should not be allowed to come out," the 74-year-old told a meeting of anti-corruption activists in his village of Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district.
He also asked people not to re-elect such MPs.
"It is our duty to ensure that those MPs who are not supporting the bill should not be re-elected. No one should vote in their favour," he said.
First Published: Saturday, September 10, 2011, 17:48