Khurshid says Govt action against Hazare not mismanaged

New Delhi, Aug 17: Law Minister Salman Khurshid today (Aug 17) rejected criticism that government action against Anna Hazare was "mismanaged" by government.

"Nothing has been mismanaged," he told reporters in Parliament House when asked about criticism over arrest of Hazare and his associates on Tuesday, Aug 17.

Khurshid said the government will decide what further action it would take on the issue of Hazare and Lokpal Bill and that would be conveyed. "It is the Government which will take a final decision in this regard, not an individual or a minister," he said.

On stalling of Parliament by the Opposition, Khurshid lamented that the same members who were earlier opposing the government talks with Hazare and his team are now supporting him.

"It is very strange to stall Parliament on an issue on which Parliament members had earlier told us that we should not have talked to Hazare. We were categorically told why did government speak to Anna. Today, they are saying we are with Anna," he said.

"The issue is not about the arrest of Anna or not. The issue is about the Lokpal Bill. Do they support the Bill or not. Why don't they come clean before the country on this," he said.

The minister said, "No body has ever been as kind to a person who has been agitating, as we have been. I have not known of anyone released from prison after 6 PM ever in my life as a lawyer".

Khurshid said he favoured civil liberties and did not support any law which curtailed independence of citizens.

"The issue is not of civil liberty of 12 hours. The issue is of civil liberties for all times to come. Tapping of telephones, making a police state, watching over shoulders is not something that should be supported," he said.

PTI