Anna Hazare begins indefinite fast for Jan Lokpal Bill, says it will be a 'do-or-die' agitation

Ralegan Siddhi (Maharashtra): Notwithstanding Centre's assertion that it was serious about passing the Jan Lokpal Bill in the current Parliament session, Anna Hazare on Tuesday began his indefinite fast for its immediate passage, saying the government must keep its word on the issue.

The anti-graft campaigner whose earlier fast at Ramlila Maidan and public protests had forced the Government to ensure the Bill's passage in the Lok Sabha, launched his fast at this tiny village in Ahmednagar district Tuesday morning, surrounded by a crowd of supporters, far less in number than the multitudes that swarmed the Delhi venue.

"Neither Congress, nor BJP is thinking about Jan Lokpal, about decentralisation of power," Hazare said, addressing the supporters who gathered outside the Yadavbaba temple here, the venue of the fast.

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Balsahsaheb Thorat, who hails from the district, met Hazare and conveyed to him chief minister Prithviraj Chavan's message to call off the fast.

Earlier in the day, Union Minister of State for Personnel V. Narayanasamy said the government was serious about passing the legislation during the current session of Parliament itself and had even given a notice to Rajya Sabha Chairman in that regard.

"As far as the Lokpal bill is concerned I have given notice to Chairman Rajya Sabha for taking up the Lokpal Bill. ...Government is taking all sincere step to pass the Lokpal Bill," he told reporters outside Parliament.

When Hazare's attention was drawn to Narayanasamy's statement, he said, "the government should keep its word".

Sources said Maharashtra government's efforts to persuade Hazare to withdraw his fast proved futile as the veteran Gandhian remained firm on his resolve.

Hazare refused to accept the Centre's assurance on the passage of Jan Lokpal Bill, which was conveyed to him by Maharashtra government's interlocutor Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat, they said.

According to sources, Hazare asked Thorat to provide the assurance on the passage of the bill in writing. Sources said Thorat requested Hazare to break the fast citing health reasons because of a surgery he recently underwent, but Hazare put his foot down, saying "It's high time to take concrete steps to weed out corruption".

Goverment is taking sincere steps to pass Lokpal Bill: V Narayanasamy

The 76-year-old activist said his fast would continue till the time Jan Lokpal Bill was passed. Hazare had last week said Narayanasamy, also Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office, had sent a letter detailing steps taken by the government for passage of the Bill, pending in the Rajya Sabha.

"I offered prayers at the local temple before beginning the fast and asked God to give the government subuddhi (good sense) to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill," Hazare told reporters, shortly before commencing the fast.

"Jan Lokpal Bill will be a big step towards nation building," he said. Accusing Congress of "betrayal", he said time has come for the UPA government to deliver on its promise or quit.

The Gandhian also added that that this time his fast will go on and it will be a do or die situation.

The social activist, who had shot to national limelight with his fasts in Delhi over the issue, said the Congress should understand the reality after the serious drubbing it received in the just-concluded Assembly elections and ensure the passage of the Lokpal Bill in the Winter Session of Parliament.

Asked if Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal is welcome to Ralegan Siddhi to support his fast, the Gandhian said, "Everyone, including Kejariwal is welcome. The only condition is that they must come without the banner of a political party."

When asked whether Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejariwal is welcome to Ralegan Siddhi to support his fast, the Gandhian said, "Everyone, including Kejariwal is welcome. The only condition is that they must come without the banner of a political party."