New Delhi, Aug 26 (IANS) The Lokpal bill alone cannot eradicate corruption, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said Friday while also suggesting that the institution of the ombudsman be given constitutional status like the Election Commission.


In his first comments on the escalating debate on corruption, which acquired urgency as Anna Hazare's fast for a strong Lokpal bill entered day 11, Gandhi told the Lok Sabha
that the hotly contested bill was only "one element" to eradicate corruption.

This led to an uproar in the house with opposition leaders on their feet. Gandhi, who had to interrupt his speech for several minutes, said: "There are no simple solutions to eradicate corruption."

He also suggested that the Lokpal be given a constitutional status equivalent to the Election Commission.

Gandhi said that "Annaji had helped the people to articulate" their frustrations on the issue of corruption. He thanked Hazare for that.