Cong trying to discredit Lok Pal Bill drafting panel members: Babu

Former chief minister and Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday alleged that the Congress was trying to discredit the civil society members included in the Committee appointed by the Union government to draft the Lok Pal Bill and thus block it completely.

Talking to media persons at his residence at Jubilee Hills on Saturday, Mr Naidu said that the Congress party had agreed to the terms set by social activists Anna Hazare and included the members of civil society.

But the Congress is now trying to gradually discredit the civil society members on the drafting committee by raising doubts on their integrity, Mr Naidu alleged.

The former chief minister said that, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Digvijay Singh and others have begun to raise doubts about the integrity of both Shanthi Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan.

This mudslinging against the Bhushans will not work, said the TDP chief and added that the proposed Bill will have to drafted since the people of the country have pushed for it. “We strongly condemn attempts by the Congress to sling mud against the civil society members of the Lok Pal Bill Drafting Committee,” the former chief minister said.

“The widespread support to Anna Hazare over his fast for the Lok Pal Bill is evidence enough that the people of the country are backing the proposed Bill. Any attempt to subvert the Bill is bound to fail and the people will see through the Congress’ intentions,” Mr Naidu stated.

The TDP chief said that his party would offer suggestions over the Bill once it is drafted and introduced in Parliament.

He also said that the Congress should try to offer its suggestions on the Floor of the House once the Bill is introduced.