Q/A five-decade-long wait for the lokpal came to an end this year. Are you satisfied?
A/We had contemplated a totally independent lokpal with exclusive jurisdiction to investigate cases of corruption against public servants. But even after a truncated Lokpal Act was enacted, the Modi government did not appoint a lokpal for five years.
Q/The Anna andolan is said to have set the ball rolling for the Lokpal Act.
A/The Anna andolan was the most opportune time to bring in a proper lokpal law since it had caught the imagination of the people. Unfortunately, the UPA regime was afraid because there were allegations of corruption against its ministers.
Q/Was it a battle half won?
A/A diluted law was enacted. The euphoria generated during the andolan and then by the Aam Aadmi Party died a cruel death. We felt the movement would usher in an era of honest politics. Unfortunately, (Arvind) Kejriwal spoiled the whole thing. He gave tickets to corrupt people. He won Delhi, but our experiment failed.
Q/Was there wilful delay on the government’s part to form the lokpal?
A/They kept saying they have to amend the law. With a single ordinance, they could redefine the leader of opposition as leader of the single largest party in the Lok Sabha. This in itself shows that Modi was never serious about fighting corruption.
Q/Is the lokpal up to the task of acting against corruption?
A/Have they done anything so far? It has been eight months, and have you heard of the lokpal taking action in any corruption matter? I am not expecting much from this lokpal. I feel very let down. It is a big opportunity missed for the country.