Rahul has raised issue of corruption, Jan Lokpal Bill to higher level: Khurshid

New Delhi, Aug 26 (ANI): Hours after Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi called for creation of a constitutional body to combat corruption, Union Law and Justice Minister Salman Khurshid today said the Gandhi scion has raised the whole issue of debate and discussion on corruption and Jan Lokpal Bill to a much higher level.

"I think we are all extremely encouraged and excited that Rahulji has raised the whole issue of debate and discussion on corruption and Jan Lokpal Bill to a much higher level. He has shown an aspiration that I believe will have an immediate response from anybody, who cares for this cause," Khurshid told mediapersons outside the Parliament here.

"And whatever now happens will be informed by the ideas that today he (Rahul Gandhi) has given to the Parliament and the whole country," he added.

Breaking his silence over the massive anti-corruption protests gripping the country since the past 11 days, Rahul Gandhi said that having a Lokpal would not be enough to root out corruption entirely.

"It would appear that the enactment of the Lokpal Bill would deal with the issue of corruption effectively. But, I have serious doubts of this belief. An effective Lokpal law is just one element. Other mechanisms and laws need to be dealt with too," said Gandhi during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha.

Suggesting that the Lokpal could be made a Constitutional body like the Election Commission, Gandhi said: "The fight against corruption requires strong political will. Elevate the discourse. Lets make Lokpal a constitutional body like the Election Commission. It is a game changing idea."

"We must not weaken the democratic process. India's biggest achievement is its democratic system. Democracy is the life force of the nation. Individuals have brought our country great gains," he added.

Responding to a question that Anna Hazare has said that he will break his fast if there is a discussion on the Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament, Khurshid said: "There must be an alignment between their thinking and our thinking so that we move forward at a speed, direction and substance that both sides are on the same page."

"Whatever is happening is not happening unilaterally, it is happening because of convergence, communication and dialogue and we would want the implications of convergence, communication and dialogue to remain prominent in whatever steps we take," he added.

When asked about Anna Hazare's letter to the Prime Minister, Khurshid said: "Vilasraoji (Union Science and Technology Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh) has been in touch. He has been in touch on one and one basis. Whatever communication comes will come through him. He will keep the Prime Minister informed. And whatever we want to know, he will tell us."

Anna Hazare, whose fast for a strong Lokpal Bill entered its eleventh day today, wrote to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh assuring him that he would end his fast if a resolution is passed to debate the Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament today.

He placed three conditions before the government, which is inclusion of the lower bureaucracy in the Lokpal Bill, appoint Lokayuktas in all states and implement the citizen's charter for a time bound disposal of public grievances in government offices.

Hazare has been on fast since August 16, the day he was arrested and taken to Tihar Jail. He was released the same day, but he refused to leave Tihar Jail. He shifted to Ramlila Ground here on August 19 where he has been continuing with his fast. (ANI)