the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and rights wing activists like Anna Hazare and Ramdev, carrying out anti-corruption movement against the Centre, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee alleged that it was part of a “sinister” design to prevail over the elected institutions and to “destroy democratic system and usurp power undemocratically”.
Addressing a press conference at the West Bengal Congress office, Mukherjee released a leaflet prepared by the party at the Central level, saying it would whip up a national debate to mobilise the people against the real agenda of the anti-corruption agitators, including the Opposition parties.
Finance Minister also said that the Constitution has given the power to legislate only to Parliament and the state Assemblies. He said that Lok Pal Bill, will be introduced in the Monsoon session of the Parliament.
“The Constitution has given the power to legislate only to Parliament and the state Assemblies. If 5,000 or 6,000 people dictate from outside what the Parliament ought to do, this will weaken democracy,” he said in reference to Anna Hazare and Ramdev.
“When the parties are rejected by the people and if they want to resort to unconstitutional practice it is totally unacceptable. They are providing logistic support to all those agitations.” He said without naming BJP .
Mukherjee also ruled out acceding to Hazare’s demand for videography of the drafting process of the Lokpal Bill, saying this was not possible in view of the fact that the drafting committee members will express their views freely.
