Bangalore:
Commenting on Anna Hazare's recent decision to reject the new Lokpal Bill proposed by the Government, Union Minister for Corporate Affairs M Veerappa Moily said that the former cannot bring in new amendments and expect their incorporation in the draft Bill.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a function here on Saturday, he said: "It is not a practice to include outsider in the process of drafting a Bill. But, the Parliament has made an exception in the case of the Lokpal Bill and Anna Hazare. But now that the Bill is in Parliament, we need to take a decision."
He added that while every citizen has the right to protest, it has become difficult to incorporate the "new demands and amendments of Anna". "The Union government conducted extensive consultations with Team Anna for three months and incorporated all their suggestions. We have included all his original suggestions. Now that the Bill is in Parliament, he must respect the democratic principles of the country," asserted Moily.
'No Threat to Karnataka Congress'
Commenting on recent reports of infighting in the state Congress, Moily said that there is no threat to the unity within the party. "Every political party has differences... but there is no threat to us," he added.