NEW DELHI: A cardiologist-turned-politician and AAP MP Dharamvira Gandhi today opposed the Land Acquisition Bill both inside and outside the Parliament.
62-year-old Gandhi, who was inspired to join politics after Anna Hazare's anti-graft movement three years ago, and had been elected to Lok Sabha from Patiala in Punjab last year, was seen sitting among the crowd gathered for Hazare's agitation against the Bill, barely a few hundred metres away from Parliament.
"We oppose this Bill from 'Sansad to Sadak' (Parliament to streets). And, I came here because I want to work for the welfare of the people," he told PTI.
The doctor, who took a premature leave to enter anti-corruption movement, however proudly recalled his youth days, when he was detained during the Emergency era.
"I was a final year student at Government Medical College in Amritsar and those were turbulent days. The 70s, All-India Railway Strike, JP Movement, and as a youth, I just couldn't resist it," he said.
"I am son of a primary school teacher and I want to work for people, both as a commoner as well as an MP. So, I have no qualms sitting on the ground surrounded by people here. After all, I am there representative only," he said.
Gandhi, who was also a chairman of the 'Anna Hazare Sangarsh Committee' of Patiala District during the 2011 anti-corruption movement led by Hazare in Delhi, said, "I want justice to prevail. No farmer should suffer because of this Bill."
Incidentally, AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal joined Hazare on stage and announced to support wholeheartedly in the fight against the Bill.
"I am very happy that our leader is there up with Annaji, jointly taking on the anti-farmer Bill," he said.
The Bill was today introduced in Lok Sabha amid vociferous protests by an NDA ally as also the entire opposition, which staged a walk-out calling it "anti-farmer and anti-poor".
In Rajya Sabha, government expressed its intent to hold discussion with all parties to find a way out on the Bill to replace the contentious ordinance on the issue.