Bring Jan Lokpal Bill in Winter Session Or Quit: Anna

Mtoday news / PTI

Ralegan Siddhi, Oct 2: Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare today lashed out at the government saying that the Centre had the least intention of bringing forth the Jan Lokpal Bill.

Addressing the Ralegan Siddhi Gram Sabha on Gram Panchayat Day, Anna Hazare rejected the Gram Sabha resolution  conferring the title of Mahatma on him. "I am not a Mahatma, I am an ordinary worker and shall continue to work as an ordinary worker", he said amidst applause.

 

 

Hazare asked the government to bring the Jan Lokpal Bill, presently under consideration of Parliament Standing committee, in the winter session of Parliament or quit.

"Bill laana hoga ya jaana hoga" (Bring the Bill or quit), he said.
 
On the 2G issue controversy involving P Chidambaram and Pranab Mukherjee, Hazare said, this was merely a "fake fight (noora-kushti) " between the two ministers and the public was not interested in it.
 
He appealed to the people not to offer bribes nor take bribes.
 
Hazare stressed on the importance of Gram Sabha as the fulcrum of rural development.
 
Hazare has disclosed in a TV interview that he intends to set up young candidates with an honest record to fight as independents in the elections.
 
Hazare said he has no desire to hold any post as it would not then be possible for him to continue with the work he is doing at present.

"I don’t desire to be the president. Whatever work is being done by me today won’t be possible if I hold that post," Hazare said in a TV interview.

"Several people tried to persuade me to become an MLA or an MP, minister but I am not interested in these posts either. Whatever I can do today, I won’t be able to do so after becoming a minister," he said.

Meanwhile, Hazare reiterated his decision to begin a hunger-strike on the last day of the winter session of Maharashtra Assembly if the Congress-led state government failed to bring in a legislation for a strong and effective Lokayukta in the state.

Stating that he was influenced by the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Vivekaannd, Hazare said he was carrying out his work based on ideologies of these two great persons.