No point opposing Lokpal after Anna’s consent: Khurshid

Union Minister Salman Khurshid on Monday slammed AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal for his opposition to the Lokpal Bill even after anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare supported it.

“After Anna Hazare’s consent, there is no logic in opposing the Lokpal Bill. It would be passed,” he told reporters during a two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency.

He said Mr. Hazare was a Gandhian leader, who had the courage to reform himself along with others.

Mr. Kejriwal had on Sunday rejected the Lokpal Bill under consideration in Rajya Sabha as “weak” and ineffective, and said nobody except Congress would be benefited by its passage.

The AAP convenor had also said he was saddened by Mr. Hazare’s stand that he would break his fast once the Lokpal Bill was passed in Parliament, warning that the proposed legislation will not prevent corruption but instead work to “protect the corrupt”.

Mr. Hazare, had in turn said, if anyone feels there are shortcomings in the bill after it is passed, they should fast for it.

Mr. Khurshid also slammed the Uttar Pradesh government, saying it was not cooperating with the Centre due to which several central schemes were held up.