New Delhi:
Social activist Anna Hazare, who broke his 19-day-old maun vrat on Friday, has said that he his "hopeful that the government will finally pass a strong anti-corruption law".
Mr Hazare and his team met the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice and Personnel which is looking at the Lokpal Bill. Mr Hazare said that he is satisfied with Friday's deliberations.
"At times, you have to use tough words but it is nothing personal directed against anyone in particular. We want is one comprehensive Jan Lokpal Bill."
During the four-hour-long meeting, activists led by Anna Hazare strongly opposed "breaking" the Lokpal Bill into several measures.
He also said that several members of the committee have assured that a "strong" bill will be introduced in the Winter Session of Parliament.
Apart from the Lokpal Bill, the government also facing the heat from team Anna over the Judicial Accountability Bill.
It has accepted some recommendations of the parliamentary standing committee on the Judicial Accountability Bill but has refused to concede to Team Anna's demand for including judicial corruption.
If the government has its way, comments from judges in courtrooms attacking government and constitutional authorities will have to be tempered. The judges won't be allowed to enter into a public debate or express their views in open courts. They also can't have close proximity to the Bar.
Further, probe against errant judges will be in camera. The government is also against the inclusion of MPs in the panel that will probe corruption allegation against judges.
Team Anna is not amused.
"To stop judges from making comments on matters, or on authorities whose conduct is coming up before them for scrutiny, is an absurd provision. But apart from that, I feel it's a useless bill. It's not going to do anything. It also does not deal with criminal investigation of judges at all," said Prashant Bhushan, a member of Team Anna.
(With PTI inputs)