Congress leaders and activists have warned
social activist Anna Hazare to stop targetting party general secretary Rahul
Gandhi with the backing of the opposition.
"Hazare is attacking him (Rahul
Gandhi) for weakening the Lokpal Bill to help vested interests tarnish his
image. Congressmen will not tolerate this," said Congress Member of
Parliament PV Hanumanth Rao.
Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma said:
"The opposition is scared of Rahul Gandhi and Anna has become their
spokesperson, especially that of the RSS. Is he a laat sahab, let him come to
UP (elections), we will see him there." He was reacting to Anna Hazare's
comments against Gandhi.
"Anna is trying to scare Congress but
we are not afraid of him. If he is 75, then Congress is 125-years-old,"
Verma said.
Congress leader Satyavrat Chaturvedi said,
"His (Anna's) word is not the one of Lord Brahma. Is he Satyawadi
Harishchandra?, I do not agree with this."
Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh
said: "The BJP is supporting Anna Hazare to divert public attention from
the fact that Sangh Parivar supporters have been arrested for terrorist
activities."
Digvijaya also said Team Anna's campaign
has always been political.
"The intent of Team Anna, Ramdev and
Sri Sri Ravishankar is political, their motive is to create problems for the
Congress," Digvijaya said.
Law and Justice Minister Salman Khurshid
said: "Parliamentary democracy is based on discussion and there should be
a discussion on every issue."
Asked whether opposition did the right
thing in discussing Lokpal issue outside Parliament, Khurshid said "this
should also be discussed in Parliament."
Union Minister for Non-Renewable Energy
Sources Farooq Abdullah said: "Parliament is supreme. So, they
(Opposition) should put forth their views in Parliament which is the right
forum."
Union Agriculture Minister and Nationalist
Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said there was nothing wrong with
politicians sharing the dais with Anna Hazare and discussing the Lokpal issue.
It is good that all parties emphasised the
supremacy of Parliament which cannot be overlooked. A debate can take place at
any place. It could be done at a seminar or in an open ground," Pawar
said.
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