New Delhi: The public sparring between anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare and AAP refused to die even after the Lok Sabha passed the Lokpal Bill. While Anna broke his indefinite fast for a Lokpal minutes after the Lok Sabha passed the Bill, AAP continued its opposition with its leaders hitting out at the MPs for passing a "weak and totally ineffective" anti-corruption legislation.
Anna, who had been on a fast in Ralegan Siddhi for the past eight days, celebrated along with his supporters including former IPS officer Kiran Bedi and former Army Chief General VK Singh. "This is a good step against corruption. There will not be 100 per cent control on corruption through the Lokpal Bill but at least there will be 50 per cent control on corruption. The people will have at least some relief. I hope that this will be made into a law soon," Anna said.
Bedi also hailed the move and claimed an impossible has been made possible.
AAP, however, skeptical and leading the charge was the party National Convener Arvind Kejriwal who hit out at the MPs for passing a "weak and totally ineffective" Lokpal Bill. "This is a very weak Lokpal Bill. All of us will work together to strengthen it. We have no problems with Anna Hazare," he said.
AAP member Manish Sisodia questioned why the Bill does not cover the police, nagar nigams, schools and hospitals.
AAP leader Prashant Bhushan alleged that all the major parties came together to ensure that India will get an anti-corruption law that will not be able to do anything significant. "Because of the fear of AAP, they are now quite happy to join hands and try an appropriate credit for passing this totally weak and ineffective Lokpal Bill," AAP leader Prashant Bhushan said.
Bhushan also attacked the Congress and the BJP for influencing Hazare in this matter. "They are very happy with the kind of endorsement that Anna has also given to them. All kinds of people from the Congress as well as the BJP come and have been influencing and advising Anna in this matter."
Fissures between Anna and AAP has been out in the public ever since Anna openly snubbed Kejriwal saying that the AAP leader can continue agitating for what he considered would be a stronger version. Kiran Bedi has also slammed the rookie party for its continued protest against the passage of the Bill, urging him to read the Bill properly before commenting on it.
AAP has, however, dismissed any rift with its former mentor. Another AAP leader Shazia Ilmi tried to downplay the differences between Anna and Kejriwal saying, "This is not a fight we will like to centre between Anna and Kejriwal. We feel this Lokpal is ineffective. Our accounts are completely transparent. We go to people for money. Elders sometimes say things, we can only listen to and not comment on. I wish this rift wasn't created and things were better. I wish we could fight together."
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