This Article is From Dec 17, 2013

We now have a strong Lokpal Bill, need other parties to help pass it: Rahul Gandhi

We now have a strong Lokpal Bill, need other parties to help pass it: Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and senior Congress ministers P Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal and Ajay Maken addressing the media on the Lokpal Bill this evening.

Following are the highlights:

Rahul Gandhi
  • Discussion has been going on for a while
  • Now this bill is a strong bill that will transform corruption
  • Congress fully supports this bill
  • Hope opposition and all parties will help us get this bill passed
  • This is a matter of national interest. We would like for parties to set aside their differences work together to deliver this
  • All parties should support this bill
  • (On urgency) actually no this is not an urgency. We have been struggling with this for a long time. We are 99% there with broad consensus... Nothing to do with AAP. It is to fight corruption
  • This isn't a matter of victory and loss. This bill is important for the nation therefore we want to pass this bill. Now there is consensus
  • We are at the finishing line
  • Congress is committed for this bill
  • The single biggest step and a much bigger step against corruption is the RTI
  • What we need is 99% there, we need 1%
  • Confident that we can finish and deliver the Lokpal

P Chidambaram

  • We are adding to the framework of anti-corruption legislation
  • We had passed the Lokpall bill in Lok Sabha after extensive debate
  • The Opposition party supported the bill
  • This bill reflects all that this nation has debated and expects
  • No party says, we shouldn't have a bill
  • I appeal to parties that have reservations, to help us cross the line
  • We are almost there
  • We can have a Lokpal if parties set aside their reservations

Kapil Sibal
  • This bill has decided that CBI will work under the Lokpal... Separate director and investigation agency
  • Process of selection is also outlined in this bill
  • Congress, UPA's intentions are clear
  • The steps that we are taking, don't think anyone else has taken such steps
  • Our government has taken thos kadam (solid steps)


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