Government misused parliamentary procedures: Team Anna

NEW DELHI: Team Anna on Friday amplified the Opposition's charge that the happenings in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday midnight was scripted by the government.

"It's a conspiracy against the people. Ruling party has a control over parliamentary procedures. It has misused the procedures, ensured that the voting doesn't happen," said Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal.

Kejriwal maintained that the bill passed by the Lok Sabha cannot tackle the menace of corruption. " Lokpal bill passed in Lok Sabha was a very weak bill. When it was presented in Lok Sabha, 55 amendments were given by the Opposition parties. There were some good suggestions. All of them were defeated since the government had the majority," he said.

He said the Rajya Sabha would have been able to pass a relatively better Lokpal bill. "The government does not have majority in Rajya Sabha. 187 amendments were given. Amendments on CBI and selection and remove of Lokpal were part of these amendments. Had there been voting, at least these two could have got passed. At least a somewhat good Lokpal bill could have been passed," he said.

Prashant Bhushan said the agitation will now have to be for saving democracy. "Now our agitation is not only against corruption or for Lokpal, it will now be to save democracy."

Team Anna said the government engineered the high drama in Rajya Sabha.