UPA allies attack Oppn for joining Anna's fast

However, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar saw nothing wrong with politicians taking part in a debate on anti-graft legislation outside Parliament.

Congress, National Conference and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders condemned the politicians for their ‘double standards’. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni asked why the opposition was raising the Lokpal issue outside while Parliament was in session. “In a democracy, there is a platform for discussion on every issue. Parliament is the best forum for discussion,” she said outside Parliament House here.

“Raising issues outside Parliament shows opposition’s double standards. This is not acceptable. We also want a strong Lokpal but it should be discussed in Parliament,” she added.

National Conference chief and Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah asserted, “Parliament is supreme. They (opposition) should put forth their views in Parliament which is the right forum.”

Final stop

TMC, another key constituent of UPA, said it shows that the Opposition is suffering from political bankruptcy and looking for opportunities just to embarrass the government.
“They are bankrupt as far as political thought and issues are concerned. They are looking for a stage just to embarrass the government,” TMC MP Kakoli Dastidar told Deccan Herald.

Sharad Pawar, while maintaining there is nothing wrong with politicians discussing Lokpal or other issues on any platform but it is “good” that the various parties have emphasised the supremacy of Parliament, which cannot be overlooked. “A debate can take place anywhere — at a seminar or in an open ground,” Pawar said, but asserted that “Parliament is the final stop for discussion and decision”.

On Sunday, leaders of Opposition parties and those extending outside support to UPA joined Anna’s protest demanding a strong Lokpal bill.