New Delhi:
Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday night threw its weight behind Anna Hazare's anti-graft movement after its top leaders held talks with the social activist's associates to clear its doubts on the civil society's Jan Lokpal Bill that Hazare wants passed by parliament.
The party said though they support the movement, they will not try to gain political mileage from the protest.
Senior leader LK Advani, party president Nitin Gadkari, leader of the opposition in both houses of parliament Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley were present at the meeting with Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan and Kiran Bedi.
Mr Gadkari and Mr Jaitley, after the talks at Mr Advani's residence, told reporters that they supported the anti-corruption movement of Anna Hazare who has been fasting since August 16.
Mr Gadkari, speaking to reporters after the meeting, said: "The BJP supports the movement. Our party stands for a corruption free India and we support the issues they have raised in parliament and outside."
The leaders said they had raised "certain issues" with Team Anna and were satisfied with the outcome of their talks. They also appealed to the Government to find a "just solution" to the Lokpal logjam.
Arun Jaitley said after their talks with Team Anna they were satisfied that the anti-corruption legislation would be framed within the framework of the constitution.
"We had very constructive and positive talks," Mr Jaitley said, adding if the government puts its mind it can find a solution to the standoff.
The civil society activists told reporters that they had clarified to the BJP leaders on the aspects of the Lokpal Bill on which the opposition party had raised doubts.
"They broadly agree with our position (on the Jan Lokpal Bill)," Mr Kejriwal said. His remarks were endorsed by both Prashant Bhushan and Kiran Bedi.
The former Indian Police Service officer said with the BJP convinced with the Jan Lokpal Bill, "the ball is now in the Government's court" on the resolution it will bring in parliament on Friday to debate the civil society's draft legislation.