BJP criticises PM's stand on Hazare's fast

New Delhi, Aug 15 (PTI) With the Indian government
putting conditions on activist Anna Hazare's fast for a
stronger Lokpal, primary Opposition Bhartiya Janata Party
Monday asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to "introspect" on
his stand which it described as being against democracy.
"The Prime Minister should introspect on this issue...
those who said there was zero corruption in 2G spectrum, those
who first called Baba Ramdev a saint and talked to him
three-four times, those who talked to Anna Hazare 10 times,
then said these people were good," BJP President Nitin Gadkari
said.
However, when Ramdev and Hazare did not fall in line
and stood their ground on corruption the government turned
against them, he said.
"Now when they (Ramdev and Hazare) are talking about
removing corruption they are being targeted and government is
looking for ways to end their agitation," Gadkari said.
Government has asked Hazare to restrict the strength of
the crowd at his fast-unto-death to 5,000 and end it in three
days.
"There is a policy that if you hold a protest, we will
not allow it. The way this government is working and the
statement that the Prime Minister made is completely against
democracy," Gadkari said.
In his Independence Day speech at the Red Fort on
Monday, Singh said, "We want a strong Lokpal to prevent
corruption in high places... I am aware of the differences of
opinion on some aspects of the (Lokpal) Bill. Those who don't
agree with this Bill can put forward their views to
Parliament, political parties and even the press. However, I
also believe that they should not resort to hunger strikes and
fasts-unto-death."
Singh also said no government had a magic wand to end
corruption.
Earlier, Singh had replied to Hazare's letter seeking
his intervention by saying it was not his brief. The PM had
asked him to talk to Delhi police about his grievances.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India(CPI) said the
Prime Minister's speech lacks vision and direction and shows
how much the government is "obsessed" with the charges of
corruption.
"PM's speech does not give any confidence to the people
about the future of the nation or its progress. It shows how
the government is weak and helpless.
"There is no direction, no vision. It seems he is
obsessed with the charge of corruption in the government and
that shows how neck deep is the corruption," party's national
secretary D Raja said.
"That is why people do not trust this government," he
said.
He also sought to know why the Prime Minister did not
assure the country about the introduction of judicial
accountability bill to handle corruption in higher judiciary.