Team Anna backs Rahul's idea of making Lokpal constitutional body

Activist Medha Patkar, who is part of Anna Hazare's core group, said in spite of talking about the broad issue, the Congress General Secretary should have deliberated on the immediate issues raised by the Gandhian, whose fast for a strong Lokpal continued for 11th day.

"Today's urgency and concerns for lakhs and lakhs of people have not been addressed," she said when her reaction was sought on Gandhi's speech.

"He did not comment on the Lokpal Bill that he should have courageously done," Patkar maintained.

However, she welcomed Gandhi's suggestion to make Lokpal a constitutional body like the Election Commission. "I earnestly support it."

Another Team Anna member Kiran Bedi said, "The country is impatient for action and implementation and not a mere well- intentioned long plan on issues pending since independence.

"You climb hills before you reach Mt Everest. Lokpal is a tall hill which will take you to the Everest. Begin and prove the intention," Bedi said.

On Gandhi's observation that Lokpal alone cannot be a substitute for anti-corruption code, former Law Minister Shanti Bhushan said quoting Hazare that one Lokpal will not eradicate corruption in the country, but it will make a beginning.

"Bill for Lokpal does not clash with the constitutional body which Rahul Gandhi is suggesting. It can function even as a constitutional body," he said.

Another Team Anna member Justice Santosh Hegde said Gandhi's suggestion for a constitutional body looks like a "five-year plan".

"Until the constitutional body is established there should be a stautory body to eradicate corruption. If we go on waiting we will have to wait for another 42 years," he said.