Congress, BJP in race to take credit for Lokpal Bill passage

TNN | Dec 19, 2013, 06.03 AM IST

NEW DELHI: The short Lokpal debate in the Lok Sabha, despite a near total consensus, was marked by some jostling for credit between BJPand Congress with the ruling party seeking to claim brownie points for the anti-corruption legislation and BJP giving precedence to public opinion and Gandhian Anna Hazare. 

Though Congress, too, acknowledged Hazare's contribution in putting the spotlight on corruption in public life, the party has sought to highlight the role of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for bringing the Lokpal Bill to centrestage. 

In his speech, Rahul recalled how the proposed legislation was first brought by former PM Indira Gandhi. He later described the enactment of the law as an "historic opportunity" for Parliament while pointing to the UPA's other anti-corruption initiatives in a bid to defuse the opposition charge of opportunism. 

"The Right to Information Act, 2009 was the UPA Government's first and most important assault on corruption in this country. The establishment of the Lokpal is necessary to strengthen the fight against corruption and ensure accountability of public officials to the people. But the Lokpal Bill alone is not adequate to fight corruption. We need a comprehensive anticorruption code in this country," Rahul said. 

Earlier, leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj remarked how there was a "race for credit" since the bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha. She supported the bill but attacked Congress for clamouring to take credit for it, saying "the people of this country and the old man (Anna Hazare) who has undertaken fast several times deserve the credit". 

BJP spokespersons have argued that the Lokpal Bill has been strengthened due the party's efforts in blocking its passage in the Rajya Sabha in December 2011 and the formation of a select committee that then comprehensively reworked the legislation. 

Congress spokesman Raj Babbar later said, "This bill was first brought by Indira Gandhi and then it passed through many governments waiting for passage in parliament. Anna Hazare's agitation in 2011 provided it impetus. He gave voice to the popular demand in society that such a bill be passed and understanding its sensitivity, Rahul Gandhi played an important role in making it a reality." 

BSP's Dara Singh Chauhan described this race for credit as a "corruption" of sorts as well.