Uma supports Anna, says PM should be under Lokpal

Senior BJP leader Uma Bharti on Monday expressed strong support for the movements of Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev and said that Prime Minister must be brought under the Lokpal Bill.

''We fully support the movement of Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev. Their movements are great and full of sanctity,'' Bharti said at a press conference.

In reply to a question, Bharti said the Prime Minister should be brought under the purview of the Lokpal, but the manner in which it should be done has to be worked out.

''That the Prime Minister must be brought under the purview of the Lokpal cannot be debated. What should be debated is the manner in which it can be done,'' she said.

Bharti said while Anna Hazare had begun his movement well, be became somewhat 'isolated' later by his statement that political parties should be kept out of the movement.

''It is good, however, that Hazare is now saying that he has no aversion to any political leader or party. No movement can succeed without the support of political parties,'' Bharti, who returned to the BJP after remaining out of the party for about six years, said.

The BJP has raised the issue of black money several times, she said.