Team Anna 'solidly' backs Kiran Bedi on privilege issue

Team Anna Hazare on Tuesday rallied behind its key member Kiran Bedi who is facing a breach of privilege notice in Parliament for her controversial remarks against MPs, warning such move would be perceived by people as lawmakers' way to seek revenge on them.

Arvind Kejriwal, a key Team Anna member, said the entire team was "solidly" behind Bedi.

He said, "She will respond to the notice as and when the notice is received. The notice has not been received so far. It does not constitute breach of privilege of Parliament. You may like it or not, that's a different thing but it does not constitute breach of privilege of Parliament."

Prashant Bhushan, lawyer and another Team Anna member, said the move to serve a notice to Bedi was "unfortunate as she had not said anything which could be termed as breach of privilege".

He claimed there were talks that he and another member Arvind Kejriwal would also get privilege notices.

"We too have not said any such thing.

Bhushan told reporters, "And if this is done, it is clear...people will think that perhaps MPs are thinking that our fight is against MPs as we talk about their corruption. People will think it is a way for MPs to seek revenge."

Bedi, a former IPS officer, had on Monday said she was not going to apologise and was prepared for any punishment.

She said, "Sorry no apology for being demonstratively a voice of public anguish. Prepared for any punishment."

In contrast to Bedi's stand, actor Om Puri, who is also facing breach of privilege notice, apologised for using derogatory remarks to deride the political class.