Anna sets Cong a deadline

Parliament must pass Lokpal bill during winter session, he says

Soon after ending his 19-day “vow of silence” at Rajghat, Hazare said: “The intention of the government is doubtful. It is trying to weaken the bill.”

Hazare flew down to the national capital to attend Team Anna’s meeting with the Parliamentary Standing Committee. The team presented its proposal on the constitutional amendments required for a strong Lokpal bill. The team has proposed 34 amendments.

Addressing a press conference, Hazare informed of the change in his stand of not naming any party in his campaign in poll bound states: “l will conduct a three-day fast and then go on a tour of five states.”

Hazare was flanked by team members, Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi, Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan.

“Let them say what they want to say. I will go and ask the people not to vote Congress. I will ask them what the benefit of re-electing the Congress is,” he declared.

However, he made it clear he would not campaign for the BJP. “I will not campaign for any
party. There is no difference between BJP and the Congress. If one has graduated in corruption, the other has obtained a doctorate,” said Hazare.

He alleged that the Congress-led UPA government was “cutting the Jan Lokpal Bill into pieces”.

“There is no need of separate bills for Citizen’s Charter and whistleblowers’ protection. They have made a weak judicial accountability bill. What is the need of separate bills when everything is contained in a single bill?  The government is trying to weaken the Jan Lokpal bill,” he alleged.

“The manner in which the government is cutting the Bill into pieces, I feel I should name Congress,” asserted the social activist. He reminded the Congress of Hisar campaign where, he claimed Congress candidate lost deposit due to the campaign by his team
members.

Praises Uttarakhand CM

Hazare also praised Uttarakhand Chief Minister B C Khanduri saying that the Lokayukta bill is similar to the Jan Lokpal bill.

“This has nothing to do with any party. He must be recognised for his bold step. Like me, he is also an ex-serviceman,” he said.

Hazare also said the core committee of India Against Corruption will be restructured after it gets a constitution. Different sections of the society including dalits and tribals will have representations in it.