On the eve of the all-party meeting on the Lokpal issue, the Congress on Tuesday made a scathing attack on opposition parties, accusing them of seeking "approval and approbation from extra-constitutional elements" by participating in Team Anna's debate at Jantar Mantar.
"Show your own spine. Do not rely on others", was the message of Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi to the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party whom he charged with "riding piggyback on Anna Hazare's bandwagon".
Taking strong exception to the opposition sharing the dais with Hazare and his team, Singhvi said that by seeking "approval and approbation" from Team Anna, "you are admitting your non-representative character".
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'In its haste and greed for power BJP utilising Hazare'
Photographs: Courtesy: India Against Corruption
The opposition action was fraught with "grave and irreversible adverse consequences on Parliamentary democracy" as a "non-elected, non-representative outfit" was attempting to make Parliament superfluous and redundant, he contended.
Singhvi, who is also chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Lokpal Bill, said the opposition's action was "totally self serving act of bypassing Parliamentary process".
Singling out the BJP for attack, Singhvi said that in its "haste and greed" for power it was utilising Hazare, as the anti-corruption yatra as also bringing a "duplicate" Jan Lokpal Bill in one of the states ruled by it did not raise its political stock.
"Whether you have power or not. Get it or lose it on your own. Show your own spine. Do not lean on others...Do not do it merely because you are in the opposition. These are wrong precedents and precepts...which will bite you ferociously tomorrow," he told the BJP.
'Opposition has more faith in debating on street than in Parliament'
Photographs: Courtesy: India Against Corruption
Singhvi said it was time that all the parties within the United Progressive Alliance and outside it sit together and try to evolve a political consensus.
"Even if that consensus yields a legislation which is good, bad or indifferent...at least the decision will be that of the Constitution of India and Parliament which have been designated to take decisions. Decision-making should not be outsourced to non-representative third parties," he said.
He said that by debating the issue in the streets, the opposition had shown why it was not allowing Parliament to function. "They have more faith in debating on the street instead of Parliament as they are getting a good TRP. But their action will certainly hurt Parliament, though its foundation is solid."
'BJP, RSS know how to play the politics of masks'
Photographs: Courtesy: India Against Corruption
"The BJP and the RSS know how to play the politics of masks. They have an old history. It is the same game plan as regards making Anna a front. Gradually, the BJP could be seen standing with Anna," he said.
He alleged that the BJP has been attempting to play politics by making Anna a front as it has "panicked" following the action being taken by the government against communal forces.
Meanwhile, with the winter session about to conclude on December 22, talk has begun about the possibility of it being extended by a day as also a short session in January to get the Lokpal Bill passed.
"If the opposition parties suggest several amendments, then the only option left for the government was to have a short session in January to get the bill passed. The time till then could be utilised to hold consultations to arrive at a consensus," a Congress leader, who declined to be identified, said.
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