We now have a strong Lokpal Bill, need other parties to help pass it: Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and senior Congress ministers P Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal and Ajay Maken addressing the media on the Lokpal Bill this evening.

Following are the highlights:

Rahul Gandhi

• Discussion has been going on for a while
• Now this bill is a strong bill that will transform corruption
• Congress fully supports this bill
• Hope opposition and all parties will help us get this bill passed
• This is a matter of national interest. We would like for parties to set aside their differences work together to deliver this
• All parties should support this bill
• (On urgency) actually no this is not an urgency. We have been struggling with this for a long time. We are 99% there with broad consensus... Nothing to do with AAP. It is to fight corruption
• This isn't a matter of victory and loss. This bill is important for the nation therefore we want to pass this bill. Now there is consensus
• We are at the finishing line
• Congress is committed for this bill
• The single biggest step and a much bigger step against corruption is the RTI
• What we need is 99% there, we need 1%
• Confident that we can finish and deliver the Lokpal
  

P Chidambaram

• We are adding to the framework of anti-corruption legislation

• We had passed the Lokpall bill in Lok Sabha after extensive debate
• The Opposition party supported the bill
• This bill reflects all that this nation has debated and expects
• No party says, we shouldn't have a bill
• I appeal to parties that have reservations, to help us cross the line
• We are almost there
• We can have a Lokpal if parties set aside their reservations
  
  

Kapil Sibal

• This bill has decided that CBI will work under the Lokpal... Separate director and investigation agency
• Process of selection is also outlined in this bill
• Congress, UPA's intentions are clear
• The steps that we are taking, don't think anyone else has taken such steps
• Our government has taken thos kadam (solid steps)