PM : Anna's attempts to impose Jan Lokpal Bill misconceived

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made a strong statement in Lok Sabha on the Anna Hazare standoff on today morning, defending the Delhi Police's decision to arrest the Gandhian and calling the social activist's attempts to impose his Jan Lokpal Bill on Parliament as "totally misconceived".

Meanwhile, Anna Hazare, his team and their ever-swelling supporters dug their heels in and outside the Tihar Jail, demanding the government give in to all conditions for their fast at Jai Prakash Narain Park in central Delhi.

“All of us agree that the Lokpal Bill should be passed by Parliament. The question is who drafts the law and who passes the law,” Singh said.

“It is the sole prerogative of Parliament to make laws and government has gone by well-settled principles,” the Prime Minister said.

He said Team Anna must allow elected representatives of the people to do their job.

The Prime Minister detailed before members the sequence of events that led to Anna Hazare's arrest, saying his detention and that of his colleagues' was a “preventive measure” as they had rejected several key security suggestions by the Delhi Police.

Singh said the government “acknowledges” the right of citizens to hold peaceful protests, but reiterated Hazare refuses to come out “unless the government gives him an undertaking that he would be allowed to fast at Jai Prakash Narain park”.

Ignoring loud grumbles from the Opposition, Singh appealed to all political parties to ensure that Parliament functioned smoothly.