Defending Government decision Mukherjee said, in this time of frenzy, anybody can write to the Lokpal and make a complaint.
In an interview to DD news finance minister said that If the Lokpal prima facie sees merit in it, the Prime Minister will have to resign. He said Prime Minister is the keystone of our system and if he goes, then the entire government goes. Answering a query he said the Prime Minster does not get immunity for ever. He can be covered once he demits office.
On Hazare’s threat to go on indefinite fast from August 16 ,Mukherjee said if the Gandhian felt that the civil society bill was the best then he should convince political parties supporting him to get it passed in Parliament even without discussion. One cannot threaten the government on this point.
On the issue of fighting corruption, Mukherjee said the UPA did not lag behind anyone. He said Maharashtra Chief Minister was removed even before a charges were filed against him. The moment the Commonwealth Games was over, the Prime Minister appointed the Shunglu Committee to go into corruption charges. In this regard, he compared the performance of the BJP with regard to Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.