By IANS,
New Delhi : Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad Wednesday appealed to MPs not to allow subversion of parliament as it will ring the deathknell of democracy in the country.
In his inimitable style, he also made a passionate plea to the Lok Sabha members to ensure that the “supremacy of parliament” is upheld as far as law-making is concerned.
Participating in a debate on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement in the Lok Sabha on Anna Hazare’s arrest ahead of his fast-unto-death for a strong Lokpal bill, Lalu Prasad said parliament should not make mistake now on the anti-graft law.
“People have elected us to parliament. If we did make a mistake now, parliament will be shut down forever and the future generations of this country will blame us for bringing an end to democracy,” he said.
“If we fail and are not effective in our functions, parliament will lose its relevance. We should not let parliament be subverted and we have to uphold the supremacy of parliament,” he added.
Noting that the Lokpal bill drafted by the government was now with parliament and has been sent to a standing committee, the RJD leader said that at the first meeting of the committee, Hazare’s team was given an opportunity to present their version of the bill and opinions sought on the government draft of the ombudsman law.
“Parliamentary standing committee is a mini parliament. We will not accept the government Lokpal Bill in its entirety and sign along the dotted lines,” he said.
Pointing out that the MPs and the entire nation had great respect for Hazare, Lalu Prasad wished the Gandhian a long, healthy life.