The Aam Aadmi Party government has decided to go for any extent and will present the bill in the Delhi Legislation despite Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung writing to Speaker MS Dhir that the bill does not have his approval. Kejriwal declared that the government will fall if the Jan Lokpal Bill and Swaraj Bill are not passed. And finally, he quit as CM of Delhi. The Union Law Ministry had advised that the Lieutenant Governor, as a representative of the Centre, has the power to veto the bill if it is introduced or passed without his clearance, as the Jan Lokpal will be partly funded by the Centre. Kejriwal’s bill also overlaps with the national Lokpal law enacted in December. Friday was the last working day of the special session called just to pass the Jan Lokpal and Swaraj Bills showcased by the party in its manifesto for the Delhi election. The Congress, which provides external support to the Aam Aadmi Party government, has called for a vote on the Lieutenant Governor’s letter to decide if the bill should be tabled.
Kejriwal has rejected the view that he has to take the Centre’s sanction and has said he will resign if his pet proposal, which creates an ombudsman or “Lokpal” to investigate corrupt government officers, is not passed. The row has brought the BJP and the Congress on the same side. The two joined forces to demand Law Minister Somnath Bharti’s removal over a series of controversies, including his raid last month in his constituency targeting Ugandan women he alleged were involved in a drugs and sex racket. Kejriwal accused the two parties of “match-fixing.” A BJP legislator, RP Singh, placed bangles and lipstick on Bharti’s table and a Congress lawmaker walked up to the speaker, tore up a file and yanked his mike, accusing him of bias. The MLA, Asif Mohammad Khan, also walked to the Chief Minister’s seat and tried to rip out his mike, all drama happened in Lagislation but actual issues remained undecided. Since AAP has come to power, Congress and BJP are in dilemma. They both joined hands as opposition by objecting to each move by AAP.
Arguments over the Jan Lok Bill tabling it in Delhi Assembly are interesting as favouring or not favouring before seeking permission from the Central Government. Sad, it is that each and every Rule and clause of the Constitution becomes controversial when two legal luminaries start interpreting it in the race of displaying his/her supremacy ignoring the intent of that Rule and clause in the larger interest of the nation. Framers of the Constitution had warned that our Constitution is the best in the world to fulfill the needs of every citizen, and if anything goes wrong it is not the Constitution but the intent in the person. Now, it is up to the citizens how they keep up the sanctity or malign the Constitution. Alas! History after freedom in 1947 tells us of progress in our wellbeing and more so in dishonesty irrespective of any person at any level. Men of conviction have always come forward in the larger interest of their fellows even if the odds prevailed.
So far, political parties have been adopting the long way to showcase that they want to do something, but in reality there were no intentions of doing that. It was only possible by right people with right intentions. AAP is on the way of showing the whole political class that, how it does not matter, what they say when, one has got a clear conscience, correct intentions and should keep moving. Toothless Lokpal which is easily accepted by Anna Hazare needs amendment as there has to be some deterrence to corrupt ministers. Many corrupts can be punished and once conviction is announced wide publicity should be given to the case, the accuser and the accused to deter other government servants from indulging in corruption. It all depends on how it is implemented in reality. Delhiites will have to come forward and raise complaints against corruption though their Jan Lokpal.
This is a commendable step which shows that correct intentions are all we need to clean the political mess in our country. I hope people compare this bill with Gujarat’s Lokayukta bill and then they can gauge the intentions of both the chief ministers. The important message is that, AAP is serious with their plans and the country welfare. Why not support their intents and look forward for clean government?
People who criticize AAP should know that the party does not have any magic stick to change the policies overnight and specially with all corrupt leaders hindering Kejriwal. Whatever Arvind has achieved so far, perhaps Anna Hazare could not have achieved this. Former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his supporters deserve all the praise. Till now, our politicians used to feel that they are above law and can do whatever they like, instead of acknowledging that they are elected by the people and are servants of the people. This has given room for protection and promotion of frauds. Now, immediate requirement is massive expansion of judiciary and jails too. Inspite of looking for great corruption free politics, corrupt parties and officials with corporate are trying to bring down the Delhi government. Arvind Kejriwal has an option to go to court in adverse situation, but we all know our lengthy judicial procedures will not resolve the issue timely. AAP is living up to its promises and we hope will continue do the good work.
We need to understand, Janlokpal Bill is necessary as the current arrangement didn’t prevent CWG corruption. With the amount spent for CWG India would have managed Olympics. National capital Delhi has deliberately been put under home ministry to keep the honest CMs weak and powerless. Kejriwal is speaking openly about things that Sheila used to say in private. Both Congress and BJP know what Kejriwal is talking about. Their immediate problem is self-preservation, and LS elections. What is surprising is the denial mode of major political parties, despite losing election in Delhi. They are busy in the number game of Lok Sabha election through the existing methods of caste-politics, horse-trading, using criminals in their parties etc. Clearly, they are living in the past.
Vaidehi
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