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In an interaction with journalists, Santosh Hegde is witty, persuasive and filled with reformatory and patriotic fervour

When the lyrical Vande Mataram rings out from his mobile phone, Justice N Santosh Hegde’s brief answer to the caller is: “Right now, I’m busy with the Anna campaign. Can we discuss it once this issue is settled?" The small orange pin-up on his shirt – “I am Anna Hazare” – syncs well with what Hegde has been fighting for – anti-corruption.

And the fight began ever since he took over as Lokayukta of the state in August 2006. First, it was for suo motu powers and to strengthen the Prevention of Corruption Act, next he took the high and mighty in the government head on through mining reports Part I and Part II. After laying down office just a fortnight ago, it’s still no holiday. The retired judge has been involved in the Lokpal Bill ever since it was drafted and is in the forefront of civil society’s crusade against corruption that the country is witnessing.

“We were taken for a ride by the government earlier and today, we are taking them for a ride," says Hegde with a chuckle. The former Lokayukta was the guest editor of Vijaya Karnataka on Wednesday and in his interaction with the editorial staff of The Times Group, Hegde minced no words about the UPA government’s skewed views on the Bill.

A small trigger on the burning issue is enough for Hegde to take off, with an occasional “Annaji’’ thrown into his conversation. “For me, it started in an innocuous manner when I was called to participate in the preliminary round of meetings in Delhi. Even as we were talking about the title and objective of the Bill, the government announced that our group had agreed to 50 per cent of the clauses...”

Completely political
“Most of their recommendations were bound by politicians. Both the appointment of Lokpal and his removal were completely political and bureaucrat-centric as against our recommendation of an 11-member panel including judges, the prime minister, leader of opposition, CEC and CAG. An example is that, they wanted the government to have the power to impeach the Lokpal,’’ Hegde said.

With Anna’s arrest on Tuesday and the crusade taking on a different colour, Hegde’s take was: “It’s our legitimate right to protest and nobody can stop us. Protest that reflects public opinion is the only way to pressurise the government. This is a confrontation between us and the government. Not between us and the parliament."

The via-media, according to the former judge, is for both the Private Bill (team Anna’s bill) and the government bill to be placed. “We are for that. The protest will go on till the government changes its stand.”

Asked why the prime minister was silent on the issue, Hegde had a cheeky oneliner: “Singh’s ears are covered by his turban."

What next? Hegde categorically said he will not stop after the Lokpal Bill. Next on the list are electoral reforms and he will transfer it through team Anna. “I will work on the electoral reforms, which addresses issues like compulsory voting, recalling and funding of elections. Anybody found indulging in electoral malpractices should be disqualified before voting starts and a winning candidate should mandatorily get 51 per cent of the votes," he signs off.