MPs outraged over Team Anna's remarks, Lok Sabha adjourned

New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day Monday after members cutting across party lines protested Anna Hazare's allegations of corruption against politicians.

The issue was raised by irate members earlier in the day. Speaker Meira Kumar allowed some leaders to express their views when the house reconvened at 2 p.m.

Suggesting that Hazare should remain within his limits, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member and leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj accused him of using unparliamentary language against the legislators.

"Anna should remain within his limits... he is using unparliamentary language," said Swaraj.

Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal had Sunday alleged that 165 parliament members, including 14 ministers, were corrupt and rapists.

Observing that Team Anna had lost direction, Sushma Swaraj said it had put pressure on parliament to pass the Lokpal bill but was critical of the MPs.

Seconding her views, National Democratic Alliance convenor and Janata Dal-United leader Sharad Yadav, who had gone to support the activist at Jantar Mantar last year, said: "Anna is against democracy as he is attacking parliament."

"We have fought against corruption for the past 30 years and for the rights of the poor and the farmers... I supported Anna but can't agree with all his demands," said Yadav.

Terming the allegations levelled against politicians by Team Anna as "highly regrettable", the Congress said it stood for dissent provided there is dignity of discourse.

"The allegations of Team Anna are highly regrettable... we stand for dissent but it should come with dignity of discourse," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi told reporters.

Congress has particularly been at the receiving end of the anti-corruption tirade launched by the activist last year demanding an anti graft ombudsman Lokpal.

Singhvi cautioned the activists that just because no FIRs were lodged against them or no privilege motions were initiated by any political party, it did not mean they had the right to call politicians goondas.

Standing by his words, Kejriwal said he was ready to face a privilege motion.

"I am ready to face charges. I have not said anything wrong. Team Anna is against corruption and not against parliament, and people who are facing corruption charges will not pass the Lokpal bill," Kejriwal said in an interview to news channel CNN IBN.

Terming the allegations a "matter of concern", Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam demanded a probe into the activities of the anti-corruption movement.

Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Basudeb Acharia and Samajwadi Party MP Shailendra Kumar termed Team Anna's allegations condemnable.