New Delhi, Apr 10 : Asserting that it considers Lok Pal Bill an effective medium to fight corruption in the country, the BJP today said it would give its suggestions and views on the proposed legislation when it comes up in Parliament.
"The BJP will have its suggestions and recommendations when the Lok Pal Bill is in Parliament. We see it as an effective medium to fight corruption in the country," party spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters here.
Hussain stressed that BJP has always raised the issue of corruption and that it had pressurised the government to form a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the 2G spectrum allocation scam.
"First, the battle against corruption was won in Parliament when we convinced the government to set up JPC. Now, the people of the country have won it by getting representation in drafting the Lok Pal Bill," the BJP MP said.
Asked about veteran social activist Anna Hazare's fast unto death and if the party approved of it, Hussain said that the BJP welcomes all democratic means to voice concern against corruption.
Asked about the differences that have cropped up among the civil society members, with yoga guru Baba Ramdev objecting to the presence of father-son duo of Shanti and Prashan Bhushan in the joint committee on the Lokpal Bill, Hussain evaded a direct reply but said, "It is good that there are people from all walks of life in this crucial process".
Asked about a senior Infosys official recently claiming that even they had to bribe government officials in Karnataka to get their work done, Hussain said that no form of corruption should be tolerated and all state governments should have a mechanism to tackle it.
"Just because some individuals and some political parties make some charges does not mean they are true. It should be backed by ample evidence," Hussain said.
The BJP has been defending Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyruppa, who is facing allegations of corruption on land allotment to his family members.
Asked by a Union Minister's reported comment that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was "ten times more honest" than anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare, Hussain said, "Initially every one defended A Raja. He was defended on the floor of Parliament at least 10 times. Now, he is in jail". PTI
