By IANS,
New Delhi : While they hailed Manmohan Singh as the most honest Indian Prime Minister, the civil society members Monday termed as “ironical” the United Progressive Alliance government’s stand on keeping the prime minister out of the ambit of the proposed Lokpal.
“You are the most honest prime minister that the country has had. It is ironical that your own government should seek the prime minister out of the purview of Lokpal’s investigation,” the activists wrote in a letter to the prime minister, asking him to clarify the government’s position on the issue.
“Till now the prime minister could be investigated by the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation). Why should an honest prime minister like you be scared of being investigated by an independent Lokpal?” the letter signed by social activist Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal, lawyers Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan, and jurist Santosh Hegde said.
“We would be grateful if you could clarify the government’s position in this regard,” it said.
“We remember that in the past, you had yourself offered to be brought under the purview of the Lokpal bill. Then why are your own ministers opposing your inclusion in the Lokpal’s ambit? Is there a disconnect or communication gap within government?” the activists asked.
The formulation of the anti-graft Lokpal bill, being drafted by a joint committee of the government and civil society members, saw hitches after differences emerged between the two sides on the inclusion of the prime minister and Supreme Court judges in its ambit.
While civil society members of the panel have demanded that the prime minister be brought under the bill, the government members have opposed the view, fearing a future conflict between the Lokpal and the prime minister could cause constitutional crisis.