Lokpal Bill: Anna to fast for 3 days, calls govt a cheat

Mangalore Today / CNN IBN

New Delhi, Dec 20 : Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Tuesday rejected government’s Lokpal draft and Citizen’s Charters’ Bill, saying he will go on fast, hold a ’Jail Bharo Andolan’ and campaign against the government in the five election-bound states.

Expressing disappointment with the new draft Lokpal Bill to be tabled in Parliament, Anna said he would fast for three days from December 27, followed by a three-day ’jail bharo’ agitation.

"I will fast on December 27, 28 and 29. This will be followed by a three-day jail bharo from December 30. After this, I will go to five states (where Assembly polls are due) and campaign against the (Congress-led) government," Anna said.

 

Maintaining that the government’s intentions on bringing an effective Lokpal bill were ’suspect’, Hazare said the government was ignoring the ’voice of the people’.

"The common man’s life has become misreble due to all-pervasive corruption. But the government has become blind. It cannot see or hear the suffering of the people," he said.

"Let the government go its way, we will go our way. I have decided that I will continue to fight till there is life in me," Anna said.

Asked if he agreed with the provisions of the draft sought to be tabled in Parliament, he said, "We say, bring in whatever draft, but end corruption."

Anna was also opposed to centralisation of the grievance redress mechanism in the draft bill. "For a ration card, you will need to go to Delhi," he said, adding Uttarakhand had brought a good Lokayukta bill.

"Government’s intentions are not clear on Lokpal bill. One has to go through a maze even for ration card complaint. We reject the draft and I will go on fast from December 27 to December 29," Anna said.

Anna also added that after the fast, ’Jail Bharo Andolan’ will be held on December 30, 31 and January 1.

"Government thinks it will not be affected by my fast, but public will teach them govt a lesson. Government is cheating the people of this countrty," Anna said.

The social activist also clarified that he will campaign for five states elections next year. He rejected Citizens Charter Bill of the government.

Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal said, "In our JanLokpal Bill, we had provided for redress mechanism at the block level."