New Delhi, Mar 26: Members from all political hues today came together in Lok Sabha to blast Team Anna for using derogatory language against parliamentarians and demanded a resolution against them for insulting the lawmakers.
Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj led the attack by taking strong objection to the uttrances saying that by speaking against democratic institutions, the civil society members were indirectly inviting dictatorship.
“Parliament is an integral part of democracy and MPs are an important part of Parliament...by using derogatory language which cannot be used here...they are insulted,” she said.
She said Team Anna has “lost direction” as while on the one hand, it wants the Lokpal Bill to be cleared by Parliament and on the other, it was insulting MPs by making uncivilised statements.
Reacting to MPs being reportedly termed as “looters”, “corrupt” and “rapists” by members of Team Anna, she said if such was the case then why did it send three of its demands to be incorporated in a resolution passed by Parliament.
Swaraj recalled that BJP, along with other opposition parties, had supported Anna Hazare's demand for a strong Lokpal Bill and had even slammed the government for brining a “weak” legislation.
She said the issue was not limited to an individual or a group of MPs but the entire institution which is the anchor of democracy in the country.
JD-U leader and NDA convenor Sharad Yadav accused Team Anna of targeting him and found support from Swaraj.
Yadav said parts of his speeches were played out at Jantar Mantar, the venue of Hazare's fast, unmindful of the fact that he was at the forefront in speaking in favour of Hazare.
Yadav also sought to know how many Team Anna members have gone to jail for fighting against corruption. “I have been to jail...I have fought all my life,” said a visibly agitated Yadav.
Demanding a resolution against Team Anna for using derogatory language, he said Hazare, who was present during yesterday's token fast, should have stopped his colleagues from targeting Parliament and using such a language against parliamentarians.
Accusing Team Anna of “working against Parliament,” he said MPs have often raised the issue of corruption inside the House.
He recalled that some MPs had to lose their membership in the cash-for-query scam. “We had raised the issue of 2G scam,” he said.
As he attacked Team Anna, Congress members were seen thumping desks in his support.
Sanjay Nirupam (Cong) claimed that some “outside powers” were trying to destabilise the Indian system through NGOs as they were jealous of the country's development.
He said while he too had earlier supported Team Anna's fight against corruption, now it seemed that the group was waging a fight against the “political class”.
Several NDA members were seen supporting Nirupam's demand that a probe must be ordered to ascertain who was supporting Team Anna.
Basudeb Acharia (CPI-M) said the attack on MPs was not an attack on an individual but on the reputation of the entire House.
He said when Hazare was arrested, most of the MPs had opposed it on the floor of the House.
Demanding action against the civil society members, Shailendra Kumar (SP) said the attack on Constitution should be slammed by all. He said all MPs should come forward to defend the “temple of democracy”.
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