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Can bring Lokpal in Parliament, can't guarantee passage: Cong

Last updated on: December 18, 2011 15:44 IST
Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi

With the Union Cabinet expected to take up the Lokpal Bill for consideration, the Congress on Sunday kept it fingers crossed on the passage of the legislation in Parliament.

"A government can only bring a bill in Parliament. No government can guarantee its passage. Let us see how the forthcoming week evolves," Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said.

Singhvi's remarks came at a time when Anna Hazare upped the ante on the Lokpal issue, and has threatened to launch a fast on December 27 if the Lokpal Bill is not passed in winter session of Parliament.

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'Hazare should have far greater congruence in preaching and practice'

Last updated on: December 18, 2011 15:44 IST
Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has already said his government will make all the effort to pass the Bill in the ongoing winter session and that there should be no doubt about government's sincerity in this regard.

The prime minister, at the same time, has said one cannot speculate what would happen to the Lokpal once it is in Parliament.

Singhvi, who is also the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Lokpal, also took a dig at Hazare and his team saying they should have "far greater congruence in preaching and practice".

'Calling Standing Committee report worthless not going to get strong Lokpal'

Last updated on: December 18, 2011 15:44 IST
Protests in favour of the Lokpal bill in New Delhi

"Describing the entire political class repeatedly as 'goondas' or suggestions by other political parties or in the Standing Committee report as 'worthless' is not going to get a strong Lokpal Bill," he said.

"Both democracy and Gandhism preach non-violence not only in action but also in words. Therefore, there should be a far greater congruence in preaching and practice," Singhvi remarked.

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Last updated on: December 18, 2011 15:44 IST

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