Anna, Govt Lock Horns Over Lokpal Bill

While Team Anna is making preparations for the three day fast at MMRDA Grounds in Mumbai to protest against the 'weak' Lokpal Bill, the government on the other hand says it would deal the issue with an iron hand.

Speaking to the media, union minister of state in the PMO V Narayanasamy said the lokpal bill cannot be passed by "someone on the streets or in maidans" and it would deal with the issue with "an iron hand". "A team of five members cannot pressurise the government on passing a bill. A bill can be passed only in Parliament after voting. Parliament alone can pass the bill, and not by someone on the streets or maidans. They cannot decide for Parliament. We will handle this with an iron hand," he said. His comments came as the Team Anna locked horns with the government rejecting the lokpal bill tabled in Parliament as 'weak'.

Anna Hazare, spearheading the movement for a strong Lokpal, is set to undertake a three-day fast in Mumbai from December 27 to pressurise the government to accept their demands including bringing CBI under the ambit of the anti-corruption ombudsman. The bill, slated to be debated and passed in the extended winter session of Parliament from Tuesday, has also come under scathing attack from the opposition parties, including BJP which is up in arms on the minorities reservation clause.