Arvind Kejriwal clarifies 'rapist-MPs' remark

New Delhi, Feb 27 (ANI): Clarifying his stand over his recent statement on Members of Parliament that had sparked scathing remarks from the political fraternity across the country, Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal on Monday efforts must be made to ensure that only sincere people are chosen as the representatives of the people thereby contributing in the strengthening of parliamentary democracy.

Arvind Kejriwal said there should not be tainted leaders inside the Indian Parliament.

"Yesterday also I gave the data that-15 lawmakers have been accused in murder cases, 23 have charges of attempt to murder, 11 have cheating charges, 13 have kidnapping charges and there are many who have charges of corruption against them," Kejriwal told mediapersons on the sidelines of an event at the prestigious Hindu College here.

"By presence of such tainted people inside the parliament, will parliamentary democracy be strengthened or will filtration of such people and making sure that only the sincere ones become representatives of the people, contribute in the strengthening of the parliamentary democracy?", he asked .

Referring to the 2008 cash-for-vote scam that stunned the country, Kejriwal said that the possibility of a foreign hand in buying lawmakers could not be ruled out.

"If there are some lawmakers who are being bought with money, then we should know the details of who is behind it? Some foreign country might also be buying them," he said.

Kejriwal also brushed aside claims of his campaign being motivated to target the ruling Congress Party.

"Anna effect- the 'Anna factor' is for the Janlokpal Bill. It is not for the purpose of targeting a particular person or specific political party," he said.

Condemning the remarks made by Arvind Kejriwal, Congress leader Digvijay Singh had earlier in the day said that the former must explain in which type of system he believes, and alleged that Team Anna always reiterates the line of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and never says anything against them.

Addressing a gathering in Uttar Pradesh's Greater Noida city on Saturday, Kejriwal said: "All types of elements have entered Parliament, including 'robbers, murderers and rapists'. Parliament has become the biggest problem of the country. It is now essential to change its character."

Terming the ongoing probe against corrupt politicians as a mere drama, Kejriwal said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has become a tool in the hands of the ruling UPA Government.

"Suresh Kalmadi, A. Raja and Kanimozhi are sent to jail for just a few days and come out very quickly," he said. (ANI)