"Cong Defaming Lokpal Panel Members"

Former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday alleged that the Congress Party was trying to discredit the civil society members included in the Committee appointed by the Union government to draft the Lok Pal Bill.

Talking to media persons at his residence at Jubilee Hills on Saturday, Naidu said that the Congress Party had agreed to the terms set by social activists Anna Hazare, and had included members of the civil society in the drafting panel.

But the Congress is gradually trying to discredit these members by raising doubts on their integrity, Naidu alleged.

The former Chief Minister said that Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Digvijay Singh and others have begun to raise doubts about the integrity of both Shanthi Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan.

This mudslinging against the Bhushans will not work, said the TDP chief, and added that the proposed bill will have to be drafted since the people of the country have asked for it.

"We strongly condemn attempts by the Congress to slander the civil society members of the Lok Pal Bill's drafting committee," he said.

"The widespread support to Anna Hazare over his fast for the Lok Pal Bill is evidence enough that the people of the country are backing the proposed bill. Any attempt to subvert it is bound to fail," Naidu stated.

The TDP chief also said that his party would offer suggestions on the Bill once it is drafted and introduced in Parliament. (INN)