Hazare drives govt into a political corner: US media

The anti-corruption movement of Anna Hazare, his arrest and his negotiation with the government, gorged wide coverage in the American media, with the papers saying that the Gandhian has become a thorn in the side of the government.

"Hazare, a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, is the face of a nationwide social movement against rampant corruption that has gathered pace this year after a string of high-profile scandals. He has become a major thorn in the side of the government, which is led by the Congress party," The Washington Post reported.

The social reformer has become an unlikely figurehead for the fight against corruption in the country, CNN reported.

"He has been able to mobilise public support because there is so much dissatisfaction with the issue. Citizens have even created a website -- ipaidabribe.com -- where people can denounce the corruption they encounter in their daily lives," the news channel reported.
"Fueled by obsessive coverage on India's all-news television networks, the jailhouse protest clearly captured the imagination of the country, and appeared to have backed government leaders into a political corner," The New York Times said.