: Anna’s movement is a wake-up call for politicians : New Delhi :Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Mr. Arun Jaitley is of the opinion that judicial activism is okay till the judiciary is reminding the government about the job it is suppose to do. But the Judiciary should refrain from making policy decisions for the govermnment or interfering in the process of policy making. He said that the constitution defines very distinct roles for the government and the Judiciary and it should remain so.
Arun Jaitley also said that Anna Hazare’s movement against corruption is a wake-up call for the politician. He feels that Anna is a social activist who has raised the voice of common people against the menace of corruption. Arun Jaitley also feels that Anna has obliged the democratic system of our country by raising the consciousness of the common people.
In an exclusive interview with the editor in chief of news 24 Ms Anurradha Prasad Mr Jaitley clearly stated that though he does not completely agree with all the points raised by Anna Hazare but his goal is in tandem with the goals of the BJP. Arun Jaitley also refuted all allegations about BJP or RSS taking active participation in the India against corruption movement. He says “we were not a part of the anti corruption movement as a organization but our party members have been a part of the movement as individual Indians, we have neither asked them to support the movement nor the party has stopped anyone from joining the movement”. You can catch the full interview of Mr. Arun Jaitley with the Editor-in-Chief of News24 Ms. Anurradha Prasad in `Aamne-samne` on Sunday the 4th of September 2011 at 10 pm.
When asked if your political organization has learned something from Anna’s movement Mr. Jaitley said “I have learned two things from this movement, firstly I am in awe with the level of dedication and tact which the activists of civil society showed in conducting this movement, secondly the way they have been able to appeal to the common people with a political thought is just unparalleled. He also added that marketing an idea to the people is something which is a lesson for every politician in this country.
Mr. Jaitley asserted when asked if the civil society has usurped the fight of corruption which the party was so vehemently fighting in the parliament,“No our fight is with the congress which has faced a severe blow by the civil society movement”. When asked about the role of some of the members of IHC who had mocked the parliamentarians Mr. Jaitley said that “some people are trying to belittle the parliamentary system but I am of the opinion that we as mature and responsible parliamentarians should not be provoked by their actions, but we should respond with a level of maturity which will be the right response to such criticism.”
But Arun Jaitley feels that the expectation of people has increased from the political class. He does not believe that the people have rejected the political system but they have expressed their disappointment with the quality of politics in India.
Answering to a question on the new controversy of the National Sports Management Bill being proposed by the ministry of sports, Mr. Jaitley expressed the view that the government should not take over the control of these sports bodies in the name of good governance. He added that “if the government wants to include all non governmental bodies under the RTI then BCCI should also come under it, but the government should not make it compulsory for only one organization”.
Though Mr.Jaitley feels that the present political condition favours his party but elections will depend on the political situation in the country. When asked about the contentious issue of who will be the face of the BJP in 2014 election as prime ministerial candidate, Mr. Jaitly refused to give any opinion but added that his party is structured and merit based and not dynastic, and they will project a face of the BJP as and when it is required.
Lokayukta’s appointment in Gujarat is also one of the issues which the party is battling these days. NDA has even led a delegation to the president of India to recall the governor; Mr. Jaitley says that they will fight any attempt to subvert the constitution. He asserted that he won’t let anyone compromise with article 163 of the constitution.
When asked about the issue raised by NDA convener Mr. Sharad Yadav about the futility of the post of Governor and President Mr. Jaitly refused to comment and merely said that its Mr. Yadav’s personal opinion.
“The political system should not take a soft stance in dealing with cases of terrorism” he opined when asked about the recent contentious issue of granting pardon to people involved in terrorist activity in the country.
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