Judiciary, PM should come under Lokpal: Priya Dutt

MUMBAI: Toeing a line different from that of her party, Congress MP Priya Dutt on Monday said the prime minister and judiciary must come under Lokpal Bill, which she felt was "too weak" in its present form.

"The judiciary and the prime minister should come under the purview of the Lokpal Bill...I don't think the PM has a problem with it," the MP from Mumbai North Central constituency said.

The Congress is opposed to bringing the prime minister and the higher judiciary under the Lokpal Bill.

Dutt was talking to reporters outside her home in suburban Bandra after meeting Anna Hazare's supporters.

"I am 100 per cent agreeable with you that the Lokpal Bill, which is right now in Parliament, is too weak. And, I am completely with you on that," she said.

"I think as an MP and as a citizen, I am not going to come under pressure by the government or by the people. I am an individual and I have my own opinion on the matter. Just as I respect your opinion, people should respect my opinion too."

Dutt was also critical of Team Anna's draft of the Lokpal Bill and said, "I find fault with both the Jan Lokpal Bill as well as the Lokpal Bill."

Sanjay Nirupam, MP from North Mumbai, who faced protesters in suburban Vile Parle, donning a Hazare cap, told the protesters that he supported Hazare's cause and favoured a strong Lokpal Bill.

MPs from Mumbai faced protests on the issue of the Lokpal Bill after people gathered in front of their houses here, responding to Hazare's call.

When protesters went to the house of South Mumbai MP and Union minister Milind Deora, he was not there. The protesters submitted a memorandum to his aide.