Constitutional status for Lokpal a delaying tactic, says Team Anna

NEW DELHI: Questioning Government's move to make the Lokpal a Constitutional authority, Team Anna said it was a tactic to delay or avoid its passage and "fool" the people.

"If government is serious on Lokpal, it should first pass the bill by winter session. Constitutional status is a sure means to delay or avoid the passage of the bill," activist Kiran Bedi said.

Bedi was responding to Law Minister Salman Khurshid's revelation in an interview to PTI last night that government intends to make the Lokpal a Constitutional authority which will be "more powerful" than the Election Commission".

For this purpose, he said a Constitutional amendment bill is to be introduced in the Winter session of Parliament starting next month and the Lokpal legislation is expected to be approved in the same session.

Bedi said the plans to make Lokpal a Constitutional authority was like "putting the cart before the horse. It's like, no bread (but) keep waiting for the illusionary cake. Who are they fooling?"

The move for a Constitutional body is a follow-up to the proposal made by AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi at last month's Lok Sabha debate on Lokpal.