News-Jayalalithaa against PM falling under Lokpal radar

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa against PM falling under Lokpal radar

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa said last Monday that the proposed anti-graft Lokpal bill should exclude the prime minister from its ambit as it would undermine his authority and could be used by foreign powers to destabilise the government.

In an interview to Times Now channel, she said: 'The proposed Lokpal bill should exclude the prime minister as he is already covered under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Any misconduct by the prime minister can be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation.'
'Lokpal could be used by foreign powers to destabilise the government,' she said.
According to her, bringing the prime minister under the Lokpal's ambit would dent his authority as he will be on the defensive when Lokpal would investigate a complaint.
Jayalalithaa said the functioning of the Lokpal, with powers to probe complaints against the prime minister, would pave the way for a parallel government which will undermine the prime minister's authority.
She said the state would formulate its view only after the bill is placed before parliament. Referring to her offer of support to the central government last November, Jayalalithaa said it was not a standing offer. The one-time offer was made in a particular context, in a particular situation and that situation did not exist now.