Deve Gowda for PM being brought under Lokpal ambit

New Delhi, Jun 21: Joining the chorus with Anna Hazare-led civil society activists, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda on Monday favoured bringing the post of Prime Minister under the purview of Lokpal but warned against any haste in the matter.

"Politicians in the country are looked at by people with suspicion. PM or Deputy PM... everybody should be brought under its (Lokpal's) purview," Gowda told reporters here.

"To regain the confidence of the people, whether it is Prime Minister, whether it is Home Minister or it is ex minister, it is not the issue. All political leaders, ministers, ex-miniters, chief ministers ..all must be brought under the purview of Lokpal. There is no question of this man or that man," he said.

However, the JD-S leader also said the law should be enacted not in a "hurried manner" but after considering every aspect.

"There should not be any loopholes. It should be a model one. If you want to make a pucca, it can not be done hastily. Necessary other laws must be amended. People''s Representation Act must also be amended," Gowda said.

Observing that the issue of corruption is increasingly being highlighted during the current UPA rule and an "alert" media has taken up the battle, he said, "Now every politician is corrupt. That is the atmosphere. Nobody can trust the political leaders." Gowda also showered praises on Anna Hazare-led civil society for its fight against corruption.

"I must compliment Anna Hazare, Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan and Santosh Hegde," he said.

PTI