BJP ‘solidly’ behind your movement: Gadkari tells Anna

Gadkari also expresses shock over the government backing out of its promises.

Extending its full support to Anna Hazare and his cause,BJP on Thursday deplored the changing stance of the government on the Lokpal issue and emphasised that the Jan Lokpal Bill should form the basis of a strong and effective anti-corruption ombudsman.

In what appeared to be a step forward from its earlier position of supporting some provisions of the Jan Lokpal Bill,the BJP said it was solidly behind Hazare and even suggested that the legislation should be passed at the earliest without getting entangled in rules and procedures.

My party has been and will continue to be solidly behind your movement against corruption. We have always been and are for a strong Lokpal. For that to happen,BJP accepts your draft Jan Lokpal Bill to be the basis for a strong and effective Lokpal to be put in place at the earliest without getting into procedural wrangles, BJP President Nitin Gadkari said in his letter to Hazare.

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The letter was handed over to Hazare at Ramlila grounds by a BJP delegation led by party general secretary Jagat Prakash Nadda.

Gadkari has also expressed shock over the government backing out of its promises made to Team Anna during the August 23 talks.

I fail to understand where the things have gone wrong? Is the government not concerned about your health? Are there any internal bickering within the government? If it is so,it is appalling, he said.

Hazare’s emissaries had indicated last night that the government had changed the stand it had taken a day before and maintained that the talks had virtually broken down.