Paswan asks Anna not to put undue pressure on govt over Lokpal

NEW DELHI: Asking Anna Hazare not to put "undue pressure" on government over the Lokpal Bill, LJP today hoped the social activist would wait for Parliament to debate the issue and cancel his planned fast in Mumbai.

"Anna should refrain from putting undue pressure on the Parliament. Any decision on Lokpal should not be taken in a haste and Anna should wait at least for the debate in the Parliament," LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan said here.

Addressing reporters on the sidelines of announcing a day-long conference of Dalit and Minorities International Forum on December 29, Paswan reiterated his demand for keeping Prime Minister out of the ambit of Lokpal and maintaining independence of CBI.

He hoped the anti-corruption crusader would call-off his fast slated for tomorrow and wait for Parliament to debate the issue.

"We hope Anna will call off his fast, at least till the time Parliament is debating the issue," Paswan said.

He attacked Hazare for his statement that protests would be organised outside Sonia and Rahul Gandhi's residences, if the government does not pass a strong Lokpal.

"Who gave this right to Anna Hazare to organise protest outside anyone's house? How can he decide on his own to organise protest outside Sonia and Rahul Gandhi's residences. Anna should not provoke such sentiments in public," Paswan said.

He thanked all political parties for ensuring reservation for backward classes, minorities and women in the proposed Lokpal.

"We have been fighting for this cause. Reservation in Lokpal is necessary to ensure that the anti-graft body is sensitive to the cause of people from backward classes and minorities," he said.