Lokpal Bill a fitting tribute to struggle, determination of Anna Hazare: Narendra Modi

Zee Media Bureau

Ahmedabad: Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated all the Members of Parliament for passing the Lokpal Bill. Expressing happiness over the passage of the ombudsman bill, Modi said: “The passage of Lokpal Bill in Parliament is a victory of the efforts of all Indians. I congratulate all our MPs on this momentous occasion.” Praising social activist Anna Hazare, Modi tweeted: “Passage of Lokpal Bill is a fitting tribute to the struggle & determination of Shri Anna Hazare. I pray for his good health.” The Gujarat Chief Minister, who is very active on the social networking websites also heaped praise on his colleagues – Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley.

Am very proud of the positive & proactive role played by BJP MPs under leadership of @SushmaSwarajbjp & @arunjaitley in passing Lokpal Bill.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2013

After eight unsuccessful attempts over the last five decades, India today took the historic step of enacting the Lokpal law by which an anti-corruption watchdog would be established that will have in its purview even the office of the Prime Minister. The Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2013, was passed by voice vote amid din created by members from Seemandhra region who were protesting against division of Andhra Pradesh to create Telangana state. The Bill was already passed by the Lok Sabha in December 2011 but it came to the House again as it underwent amendments before being approved by the Rajya Sabha yesterday.