Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati has come out in support of Anna Hazare's demand for bringing the prime minister under Lokpal. She said she would press for the inclusion of PM under the proposed anti-corruption watchdon.

Addressing a press conference here, Mayawati alleged that the Congress’ unwillingness to bring back money stashed in foreign banks shows the rampant corruption in the party. She also demanded that the names of those having accounts in foreign banks should be revealed by the UPA government. She charged the Congress of protecting its corrupt politicians in various cases.

Clearing her own stand on graft, Mayawati said she had tirelessly worked to clean the system. She also said that she had been removing people from her government and party too for their alleged role in graft cases.

PTI STORY

Mayawati wants PM, CBI, Group C employees in Lokpal ambit
Accusing the Congress of being soft on corruption, UP Chief Minister Mayawati today demanded that the Prime Minister, CBI, Group C and D employees be brought under the ambit of Lokpal and vowed to oppose the bill in its present form.

Citing the Commonwealth, 2G and Adarsh Society scams, she said that Congress' "lackadaisical policy indicates that it does not want to create a strong mechanism against corruption as maximum leaders and ministers of that party would be affected".

"Prime Minister, CBI, Group C and D employees should be brought under Lokpal Bill which should be strong and effective one", the chief minister told reporters here.

Babasaheb Ambedkar had framed the Constitution after considering all aspects and the Lokpal Bill should be in keeping with the federal structure of the Constitution and not against its basic spirit, Mayawati said, adding the draft for the bill should be prepared with consensus of all parties.

Mayawati, who stressed on making all provisions of the bill clear so that it could be understood by common people and not remain confined to a selected few, promised the support of her party only if suggestions put forward by the BSP are taken into account.

"All these things would also be put forward in the all party meeting by the BSP and if they are not taken into consideration BSP would oppose it all all levels", she warned.

Terming the draft of the Lokpal Bill prepared by the standing committee of Parliament as "weak", she stressed on the need for bringing the CBI under the ambit of Lokpal, saying "It (CBI) has often been misused by the central government. I am myself a victim of this".