TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Even as he called politicians ‘scoundrels’ a day after the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government introduced an improved Lokpal Bill in Rajya Sabha, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday stressed that the ‘Lokpal Bill or Lokayukta is not a weapon to weed-out corruption’. He argued that people wanted politicians to be clean but simultaneously wanted politicos to help them in illegalities.
“I agree politicians are scoundrels, but there are scoundrels in society itself…these people want us (politicians) to be clean and at the same time they want us to do all illegal things for their benefit ,” he elaborated.
“Lokpal Bill or Lokayukta is not going to solve corruption. Bills cannot be a solution to corruption.. ‘ the chief minister said while addressing a gathering of stakeholders while launching the Goa chapter of the Forum for Integrated National Security (FINS) to be headed by retired justice R M S Khandeparkar.
Speaking at a time when the entire political forces including BJP are pushing for Lokpal bill, Parrikar, pointed out that the ombudsmen body – except for Karnataka – has not been very successful.
“Not just this, but after Lokayukta formation, has corruption been weeded out or reduced from the state of Karnataka?” he questioned.
Taking a pot shot at the Aam Aadmi Party, the chief minister argued that corruption was one of the major factors that is making it re-think on forming government in Delhi. “AAP is hesitating to form the government in Delhi as they know, with power comes corruption,” he said.
Parrikar – addressing the recent Nigerian issue – admitted that he cannot deport the African nationals who were arrested for creating a riot at Porvorim, stating that they do not have any document and passport and hence it’s difficult to identify their nationality.
