'No political party wants an independent, strong Lokpal'

'No political party wants an independent, strong Lokpal'......

Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan tells Kunal Majumder that politicians are afraid of coming under scrutiny

K Keshava Rao


'Keeping the PM out of Lokpal purview is absurd’

‘We have no confidence left in the government’

Lokpal: An option without a fast or fuss

Why did you reject the government version of the Lokpal Bill that was approved by the Cabinet on 20 December?

If the Lokpal won’t have administrative control and remains only an investigating agency, then there is no point in having a Lokpal. If the government controls it, then there is a conflict of interest. Therefore, an agency that has no independence will have no use. The government has the power of posting and promotion, so it can influence the agency. The selection committee has been narrowed. We suggested a broad-based committee for selection. They have totally rejected it. We won’t make any compromise on these issues.

Anna Hazare has said he will proceed on fast on 27 December. What is the precise demand you want the government to address to consider calling off the fast?
The government should pass a legislation like the Jan Lokpal Bill, which means that firstly, it should have an investigatory machinery under its control through which anti-corruption probes can be done instead of relying on a government-controlled machinery. The selection of officials in the Lokpal’s office should be through a broad-based independent selection committee rather than a committee primarily consisting of politicians and the method should be transparent. The Lokpal should also have jurisdiction over all public servants. It should also have the authority to take action based on the Citizens Charter.

After so many concessions by the government, what it boils down to is that basically you want the government to accept your Jan Lokpal Bill in its entirety?
We have never said that the Centre has to accept our Bill in its entirety but the main principle must be accepted. We are not saying every full stop and comma must be included.

But since you clearly have no faith in the government, what will the fast achieve?
We are confident that public pressure will force the government to act. Otherwise we will campaign against the parties that oppose the Bill, in the states where there is going to be an Assembly poll in the next few months.

What if pressure from other political parties manages to move the government to give the CBI more independence. Will you then end your protest?
Of course. As long as it is incorporated in the next draft.

Since Anna’s health is deteriorating, how are you planning your future course of action?
Hazare’s fast may not last for too long. There may be limited fasts or protests and later we will tour poll-bound states.

Are you still insisting on bringing grievance redressal and judicial accountability under the Lokpal?
We are open to an alternative model provided that model is credible and independent. By independent, we mean that selection must be done by an independent committee.

The UPA government has made its position clear. What is your expectation from the BJP? After all, it has already introduced a similar Bill in the Uttarakhand Assembly.
We can’t say anything about the BJP. We have to wait and see what they do in Parliament. They keep saying that they will support the Jan Lokpal Bill. They had also written a dissent note in the Standing Committee report. Let us see.

Why have you not been able to get unequivocal support from any political party for your Bill?

Most political parties that have been in power or want to be in power do not want an independent body. They all have stakes that will be affected by a strong, independent Lokpal.

Kunal Majumder is a Senior Correspondent with Tehelka.