Arvind Kejriwal targets top leaders in ‘India’s most corrupt’ list
New Delhi – Arvind Kejriwal today read out his list of ‘India’s most corrupt’, including union ministers and leaders from all parties, and urged his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members to treat the national election as a “revolution” to cleanse Parliament.
Mr Kejriwal’s list included Congress’ Rahul Gandhi, P Chidambaram and Sushil Kumar Shinde, BJP’s Nitin Gadkari, Yeddyurappa and Anant Kumar, and others like Mayawati, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Sharad Pawar.
The Chief Minister was addressing his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers on a day his cabinet is to discuss the Jan Lokpal Bill that seeks to punish corruption with a maximum sentence of life in jail.
“The Lokpal Bill that the Centre passed can’t even kill a mouse, let alone end corruption,” Mr Kejriwal scoffed.
Sources say the AAP’s Bill seeks six months to life in jail for corrupt officials. The Lokayukta, or anti-corruption ombudsman, will reportedly have separate arms for investigation and prosecution. The Lokayukta can decide whether the accused official will be dismissed, removed or shunted out. It would also have the powers to confiscate property and assets of the accused official, say sources. (One month of ‘AAP ki sarkar’: The report card)
If the bill is enacted, a Delhi Lokayukta would have more powers than those prescribed under the central Lokpal law, which says the watchdog has to get complaints looked into by investigating agencies like the CBI. The CBI is under the administrative control of the government and would not be entirely independent, say critics.
Sources say the Jan Lokpal Bill sets a deadline of six months for any investigation into corruption charges. Mr Kejriwal reportedly wants the office of the Chief Minister to come under the ambit of the Lokayukta, besides those of legislators.
Mr Kejriwal has promised to pass the Delhi bill in a special session of the assembly in February, but it will need Presidential assent, which raises the possibility of a confrontation with the Centre.
