Congress asks Anna to maintain limits of civility

New Delhi, Sept 14: Not amused by the language used by Anna Hazare in his criticism of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and senior Ministers, Congress on Tuesday asked the Gandhian to maintain the limits of civility in a political discourse.

"Congress believes that the essence of democracy is dignified discourse. ....It is necessary that it should be couched in dignified words", party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters when asked to comment on Hazare's criticism of the Prime Minister and his ministerial colleagues.

Noting that though everyone is entitled to have his own view in a political or civil discourse, it was "not necessary" to use strong and negative words and "maryada" (limits) should be maintained.

"Language of civility must continue to inform political and non-political forums", he said

Singhvi's remarks came close on the heels of Hazare describing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a nice person who was "ineffective" because of being "remote-controlled" by senior ministers.

Hazare also said many people "inside the Congress think they are the prime minister". Criticising Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P Chidambaram and HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, Hazare, who was part of the Joint Drafting Committee along with the three, said they "behaved like prime ministers"

Accusing Chidambaram of "masterminding" his arrest on August 16, Hazare said, "The government wanted to do a Ramdev on me. It had kept a plane ready to take me from Tihar jail to Mula Dam in Maharashtra. But Chidambaram's strategy boomeranged on the government," he said.

Singhvi ignored Hazare's statement that he would support a front consisting of non-corrupt people from non-BJP, non-Congress parties but not lead them.

"That is for him to see. Whom they like or do not like and if they find any such entity to support", he said.

PTI