Anna to campaign against Congress if Lokpal bill not passed

Social activist Anna Hazare (centre) with his other team members (from left) Kiran Bedi, 

Arvind Kejriwal, Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan during a media conference at 

Maharashtra Sadan, in New Delhi on Friday. Mr. Hazare said there was no need to bring 

separate bills on citizens charter as well as on whistle blowers

In a U—turn, Anna Hazare on Friday declared that he will campaign against Congress in five States where Assembly elections are due next year if the UPA government fails to get the Jan Lokpal Bill passed in the Winter Session of Parliament.

“I will ask people what is the benefit of re—electing Congressmen. Let them say whatever they want...I will go and ask them not to vote for Congress (if the Bill is not passed),” Hazare told reporters shortly after breaking his 'vow of silence’ at Rajghat early in the morning.

The 74—year—old activist said he had earlier decided not to take the names of any party in the coming Assembly elections.

“Seeing that the government was taking the issue lightly and cutting the Jan Lokpal into several pieces making it weak”, he said, he decided to change his stand and campaign against Congress.

“We will go to the five poll—bound states after the Winter Session if the bill is not passed. During election time, I myself will tour these states and tell people the intentions of the government was not right,” he said.

UPA trying to "weaken" Lokpal

Mr. Hazare, who questioned the “intentions” of the government in getting the Bill passed, alleged that the UPA was trying to weaken the proposed law by “cutting it into several pieces” as he found fault with separate public grievances redressal and whistle—blowers bills.

But, he said, he will not campaign for BJP as there is no difference between the two.

He said the Centre should follow the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill but what he was seeing was just the opposite.

He said he would felicitate state Chief Minister B.C. Khanduri at a public function.

Mr. Hazare said if the Bill is not passed, he will fast for three days from the last day of Winter Session in Delhi and then will go for a nation—wide tour.

He reminded the Congress that its candidate lost his deposit in Hisar Lok Sabha bypolls due to his team’s campaign against it.

“We did not want to destabilise the government but wanted to send a strong message that till a strong Lokpal Bill is enacted, our agitation will continue,” he said.


Letter to PM

Asked about his letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh threatening to relaunch his agitation if the Bill was not passed, he said it was not a “threat” but just a “reminder” to the government about the passage of Bill.

“It was not a threat. All his ministers are indulging in defaming us. I thought they might have forgotten about Lokpal Bill. It was a gentle reminder,” he said.

Accusing the government of trying to “weaken” the Jan Lokpal Bill, Mr. Hazare said that there was no need for bring separate bills on citizens charter as well as on whistle blowers.

“Government’s intention is doubtful...The government is trying to weaken the Jan Lokpal Bill by cutting it into pieces. All these provisions were there in the Jan Lokpal Bill,” he said.

Mr. Hazare said he has no problems in a separate Judicial Accountability Bill but what the government has offered is a “very weak one” which does not mention about corruption in judiciary.

“What is the need for separate laws when everything is being dealt with by Jan Lokpal Bill?” he asked.

Congress vs. BJP

Asked if he will campaign for or against BJP, he said, “I won’t campaign for BJP. There is no difference between BJP and Congress as one is a graduate in corruption while the other has a doctorate,” he said.

Asked about his plans if the government does not pass the bill in the Winter Session, Mr. Hazare said he will hold a one—day dharna in all states he goes and then continue the campaign.

Team Anna

On the allegations against Team Anna members like Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, he said people throw stones at trees which bear fruits. “Let government conduct an investigation. Why are they levelling allegations?” he said.

When asked about Congress leader Digvijay Singh’s allegations against, he said if he comments on him, then he will also have to go to hospital, a pun on his earlier reference that Mr. Singh should be referred to a mental hospital for his remarks against him.

Queried about Prashant Bhushan’s controversial comments on Kashmir, Mr. Hazare said, “that is over. You (media) always need masala.”

On restructuring of the core committee, Mr. Hazare said the committee will be reconstituted by giving representation to people from all religion, region, caste and creed and that people with integrity will be included in it.

He said this will be done after a Constitution is written for the anti—corruption movement.

On allegations against some of the Team Anna members, he said “there could be some drawback but that does not mean corruption.”

Mr. Hazare said his maun—vrat was not against any person or party but in the interest of his own health.

Bring media, corporate houses under Lokpal: Lalu

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad Yadav

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad Yadav on Thursday said the electronic media and corporate houses should be brought under the purview of the proposed Lokpal Bill to fight graft effectively.

“The electronic media and corporate houses should also come under the purview of the Lokpal. This is the view of many members of the Standing Committee set up for the issue,” he told reporters.

To a question, Mr.Prasad said “corruption is all pervasive in the country and it cannot be checked only through Lokpal.”

The former Bihar Chief Minister, in Mirzapur to pay obeisance to deity Vindhyavasini, said Gandhian Anna Hazare himself believed that the anti-graft bill would check only 60 per cent of corruption.

“But what about the remaining 40 per cent?” he asked.

To Anna’s call not to vote for the Congress if the party failed to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill, Mr. Prasad said he and his team should form a political party and enter electoral fray to understand intricacies of politics.

On the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, he said the crime rate in the State was on the rise as “ministers themselves are law-breakers”.

“All the ministers found guilty by the Lokayukta should be immediately sent to jail,” he said.

On his party’s plans for upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, he said he had issued necessary directions to his State unit chief in this regard.

The RJD chief said his party planned to contest some 30 to 35 seats in UP.

Blessed with son, couple names him Anna

HISAR: On Sunday morning when Anna Hazare ended his hunger strike after 12 days, the Mittals here were blessed with a baby boy. As they had already decided Jitender and Rani Mittal, the parents, named their new born Anna Mittal. The couple pledged to fight corruption and not to pay even a single penny as bribe to anyone for any work.

"We had decided to name the child after Anna,'' Jitender Mittal, the father of the newborn who owns a newspaper agency here said.

His wife Rani said, "I feel proud to have named my son after a great saint of modern India. I shall pray to God to bless my Anna with the qualities that Anna Hazare has.''

Pawan Mittal, Jitender's father said, "We come from a business family who don't shy away from shortcuts. But we shall support Jitender and Rani in their pledge of fighting corruption. After all we don't want to do anything that brings disrespect to the name of Anna Hazare,'' said Pawan Mittal.

The Mittals though didn't give any tip to hospital staff, however distributed sweets in the hospital to celebrate Anna's victory and little 'Anna's' birth.

Hazare’s protest awakened the non-political class: BJP

BJP on Sunday hailed Anna Hazare’s agitation as one which had awakened even the non-political class and insisted that such movements also have a place in democracy as they serve to change the status quo.

BJP felt Mr. Anna Hazare’s agitation had achieved much for democracy and empowerment of the people.

“This is a victory of democracy. It was a convergence of agitation on the street and debate in Parliament. People are feeling empowered after this which is a good thing,” BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told PTI.

He maintained that this has strengthened the fight against corruption that his party is waging.

“We also feel elated as awakening of people by this agitation will lead to the non-political class also joining the political process. As Arun Jaitley said in Parliament, this movement was against the status quo. People want change,” Mr. Javadekar said.

After some initial reluctance, BJP had come out in open support of Mr. Hazare when he began his fast. It even went to the extent of fully endorsing the Jan Lokpal Bill.

“People are emboldened now as more and more skeletons are coming out of the cupboard of this government,” Mr. Javadekar said.

Asked if this was truly a victory of Team Anna as several of its demands like keeping Prime Minister under ambit of Lokpal, passing the Bill in this session, inclusion of higher judiciary and so on have not been met, BJP maintained that this agitation was about the larger issue of having a strong and effective Lokpal.

“Hazare has succeeded in sending a message to the people and brought them out on the streets. The issue here was also the disgust of the people against corruption. Such non-political agitations also have a place in democracy,” Mr. Javadekar said.

Asked if Mr. Hazare’s agitation had challenged the supremacy of Parliament, Mr. Javadekar said speaking or going against the established norms is not against democracy.

“Such aberrations happen in a democracy but one should look at the solutions it leads to. The movement also showed reasonableness. Restraint and reasonableness was shown by the middle class as well as the politicians and this is the beauty and strength of democracy,” Mr. Javadekar said.

BJP congratulates Anna, says will support anti-graft fight

BJP on Sunday congratulated Anna Hazare for his successful agitation and assured him that the party would continue to extend support to his fight to make India corruption-free.

“I am glad that Anna Hazare has ended his 12-day fast this morning. The entire nation has heaved a sigh of relief. Thank God Anna’s life has been saved. We pray for his long and healthy life so that he can accomplish his dream of a corruption free India,” BJP president Nitin Gadkari said in a statement.

He described this as a “historic moment” for everybody who has been in the forefront of the crusade against corruption.

“I on my personal behalf and on behalf of the BJP congratulate Anna on his successful campaign against corruption. I join the countrymen in rejoicing Anna’s victory. It is a victory of democracy. People of India have won a decisive battle against corruption through peaceful means,” Mr. Gadkari said.

However, he maintained that the battle against corruption is not over yet and the fight shall continue.

“The monster of corruption is not yet completely eliminated. It can raise its ugly head again. We have to root it out from our system. Our campaign against corruption will continue till we achieve our goal,” Mr. Gadkari said.

Mr. Gadkari assured Mr. Hazare of BJP’s continued support, saying the party will stand solidly behind him in his “selfless endeavour to transform the society”.

“We promise you that the BJP will always be ready to rally around you and march forward under your leadership should the need arise any time in future to fulfil your dream of a truly democratic corruption free India,” Mr. Gadkari said.

The BJP president saluted Mr. Hazare for his deeds.

“Anna, rest assured, we will not let you down in and outside Parliament. Nor will we allow the government to betray you further,” Mr. Gadkari said.

The BJP president hit out at the government, saying it had no plans of agreeing to the demands raised by Mr. Hazare and it did so finally under pressure from the opposition.

“There was no intention of fulfilling Anna’s demands and the issue was being diverted to different topics by Congress politicians. We in BJP supported Anna. But even after that attempts were made to spread rumours that BJP was trying to avoid voting on the resolution,” Mr. Gadkari said.

He claimed that it was only after BJP agreed to vote and support a resolution to clarify its stand on the issue that the Congress was forced to agree and move ahead.

“I don’t want to comment on the politics of it. Whatever has happened has happened. Anna’s health is fine. The country needs Anna,” Mr. Gadkari said.

Naveen Patnaik appeals Hazare to break fast

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday appealed the Gandhian to end the 12-day long fast.

“I appeal Sri Anna Hazare ji to break the fast now. His health is a great concern for all of us,” Mr. Patnaik told reporters adding that his party (BJD) would like a strong Lokpal to be in place to fight corruption.

Stating that his government had been fighting against corruption in the State level, Mr. Patnaik said Anna Hazare’s agitation would help to eradicate the menace.

Meanwhile, protests in different parts of the State continued their fast, sit-in supporting Hazare’s campaign.

People from different walks of life comprising students, lawyers, women and even children came to the streets and expressed their support to Hazare’s agitation.

Chennaiites brave rain to support Anna

Supporters of social activist Anna Hazare during a protest
against corruption at Marina beach in Chennai on Wednesday

Hundreds of supporters of Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement staged a peaceful march on the service lane behind Gandhi Statue on the Marina Beach here on Wednesday. Raising slogans condemning corruption, several students, professionals and volunteers from India Against Corruption, Chennai chapter, took part in the march despite heavy rain.

Earlier in the day, the Government Railway Police, Egmore, arrested Sakthivel, an autorickshaw driver from Tambaram, after he threatened to jump off an iron scaffolding atop the Thiruvanmiyur MRTS station. Several commuters, passersby and employees of nearby companies watched as the man waved the national flag, pledging to die in support of Anna Hazare.

In the afternoon, a group of students from 50 city colleges left the fast venue on L.B. Road to demonstrate outside Rajaji Bhavan, which houses Central government offices, in Besant Nagar. “We are shouting slogans demanding that the employees come outside and assure us that they will never accept a bribe,” said R. Shruthi, a student.

Using social networking and text messages, students coordinated various demonstrations held across the city on Wednesday. While students of Vivekananda College lined the compound walls outside their college premises, bike rallies and similar demonstrations were organised in Vepery and Maduravoyal.

At the venue on L.B. Road, more than 10,000 students had registered from 56 colleges in support of the cause, said G. Banu, media coordinator, IAC. “There are currently 21 people on indefinite fast and 81 on relay fast. One person who was on fast had to be hospitalised on Tuesday night,” she said. Close to 20 students from V-Excel Educational Trust joined the cause. “The students who are young adults with special needs will be registering to support the cause,” said Usha Rajagopal, a teacher.

Outside the venue, shopkeeper S. Shivakumar, who is a supporter of Mr. Hazare, said he has to replenish his stock of national flags on a daily basis.


VIJAY TO MEET HAZARE

Tamil actor Vijay will leave for Delhi on Thursday morning to meet Anna Hazare at the Ramlila grounds to wish him success in his campaign. He will also participate in the fast.

Traders in Guwahati express solidarity with Anna Hazare

Traders in greater Guwahati areas observed a half-day closure in support of the Jan Lokpal Bill and to express solidarity with Anna Hazare. Shops and business establishments downed their shutters till 1 p.m. in response to a call given by the All Guwahati Traders' Association. The traders also took out a protest rally in the city and sat on sit-in-demonstration to press for their demand.

Supporters of Mr. Hazare and Team Anna picketed in front of the residence of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President and Congress MP in the Rajya Sabha Bhubaneswar Kalita,

Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region Paban Singh Ghatowar, former Union Minister and sitting Congress MP from Jorahat Bijoy Krishna Handique, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) MPs Birendra Prasad Baishya and Joesph Toppo. They sang Ramdhun during the picketing and demanded the members of the parliament from Assam to support the Jan Lok Pal bill in the parliament.

Leaders and workers of six parties including the Left parties took out a protest march demanding strong and effective Lokpal Bll and urging people to strengthen the movement against rampant corruption during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. Students, teachers and several city colleges also took out rallies.

Sri Sri Ravishankar calls on NDA to solicit support for Hazare’s demands

Anna Hazare having a word with Sri Sri Ravishankar during the seventh

day his fast at Ramlila Ground in New Delhi on Monday.

Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar on Monday met NDA leaders on behalf of Anna Hazare at senior BJP leader L.K. Advani’s residence to discuss the Lokpal issue and garner opposition support for the cause the Gandhian is fighting for.

Though there was no official word from either side about the meeting, sources said Sri Sri Ravishankar praised Mr. Hazare as a good man who should be supported at this juncture.

He said a way should be found out to end the deadlock and discussed in detail the whole issue around the Lokpal Bill.

The spiritual guru, who is also acting as Mr. Hazare’s emissary in talks with the government, wanted to know the NDA view on the Lokpal issue and solicit its support to the demands being raised by the Gandhian.

Civil society activists Prashant Bhushan and Arvind Kejriwal had planned to accompany Sri Sri Ravishankar to the NDA meeting but kept away at the last moment, reportedly due to heavy media presence at Mr. Advani’s residence.

Sources said the NDA held a separate meeting to decide its strategy in Parliament in the wake of the developments in Mr. Hazare’s agitation.

“We have decided not to disrupt Parliament tomorrow and will press for a discussion on the new corruption issues. The CAG reports on KG Basin deal, Air India as well as the other corruption issues will be discussed,” a senior NDA leader said.

In Monday’s NDA meeting, the opposition also decided not to join hands with the nine political parties, led by the Left, which will hold protest demonstrations inside and outside Parliament on Tuesday on a host of issues — including corruption, farmers’ rights, price rise and attack on democratic institutions.

Though NDA will not participate in Tuesday’s strike call, it has decided to mobilise its own cadre to hold protests and demonstrations against corruption.

BJP has chalked out an ambitious plan of enrolling 10 Lakh youth through its youth wing BJYM and form a Yuva Vahini (youth brigade) for the purpose.

The NDA has decided to have a discussion on corruption under Rule 193 in Lok Sabha. This is a climb down on its part as there would be no voting on the resolution. Earlier, the NDA had demanded a discussion on corruption under Rule 184, which entails voting. The wording of the resolution was being finalised between the government and the opposition.

The NDA does not want to be seen voting with the government as it happened during the debate on price rise earlier this month. The Left and other parties voted and asked for a division of votes and since the wording of the resolution was agreed upon by UPA and NDA, the two voted for it.

BJP sources said the party is also expecting a call from the government amid reports that the Prime Minister himself is planning to take the party and the NDA alliance on board on the Hazare issue. This may lead to a slight revision in its plans, sources said.

Jan Lokpal Bill: What Anna Hazare does when he's not on stage?

NEW DELHI: Well before he comes before the people every morning at the Ramlila Ground, Anna Hazare locks himself in a 10x10 feet makeshift room backstage and writes in meditative silence for over two hours. It is an activity he's particular about.

Though the activist abstains from his routine yoga during fasts, writing is one thing he never compromises on, said Suresh Pathare, a Hazare confidant who is from his Ralegan-Siddhi village in Maharashtra.

His schedule during his hunger strike, which entered the seventh day Monday, goes something like this.

The 74-year-old wakes up at 6.30 a.m. in a room hidden behind the grand stage. He takes about an hour to get ready. Shaving is a must, "a habit from his military days", says Pathare, who has been with Hazare for about 10 years.

An hour later, he gets down to writing.

What does he write? "About little things, humanity, rights... He puts on paper a lot of internal thoughts," says Pathare, 31.

"Even in Tihar (Jail), he used to write a lot. In jail he used to read newspapers and watch news on TV, but here he just writes."

Pathare added: "In the village, he sometimes doesn't come out of his house for days. No one has the guts to knock on his door.

"If someone has to bring him food, he'll keep it outside and leave. No one can dare to disturb him."

Pathare first met Hazare during a rural development project in the village. He has since become his loyal aide.

It is only at around 10 a.m. that Hazare appears before the waiting crowd, which bursts into a prolonged applause on seeing the former soldier who ferried supplies to the frontlines in the Indian Army.

He stays on the stage till 9 p.m., sometimes sitting in an upright posture and sometimes taking help of the bolster to give his body some stretch.

The gathering keeps a steady chant of slogans hailing him. He faintly smiles. It is only occasionally that he picks up a mike and addresses the crowds.

A portable toilet is placed next to his makeshift room. Doctors check him every three hours.

At around 10 p.m., the activist calls it a day and retires to his room.

"Anna likes to sleep at the venue when he's fasting," said Pathare, who has been with Hazare during all his last 10 fasts in the past decade.

However, during the five-day fast at Jantar Mantar here in the city centre, Hazare used fellow activist Swami Agnivesh's home nearby to get fresh.

Besides the multiple medical check-ups daily, a 24-hour ambulance is parked outside Hazare's night shelter.

Balram Gupta, a doctor from Medanta Medicity, told IANS: "His blood pressure, heart rate, everything is fine. He's a very tolerant man."

Volunteers are parked behind the stage.

Around 300-400 activists are deployed at the ground, which is bigger than a football field, apart from police force.

Hazare's meetings are restricted to close aides and special guests.

Pathare said that Hazare was very particular about time.

"If he has two back-to-back engagements and the first function stretches on a little and he gets late for the second meeting, he gets very angry," he said.

Aswathi Muralitharan, who has been with India Against Corruption (IAC) for two years, reveals another Hazare characteristic.

"He will never sign a document without going through it. He'd check it 100 times and make at least 50 changes. No one can impose anything on him."

Adds Pathare: "He writes, rewrites, improvising again and again, till he's satisfied. He's a perfectionist."

What Anna Hazare does when he's not on stage?

NEW DELHI: Well before he comes before the people every morning at the Ramlila Ground, Anna Hazare locks himself in a 10x10 feet makeshift room backstage and writes in meditative silence for over two hours. It is an activity he's particular about.

Though the activist abstains from his routine yoga during fasts, writing is one thing he never compromises on, Suresh Pathare, a Hazare confidant who is from his Ralegan-Siddhi village in Maharashtra, said.

His schedule during his hunger strike, which entered the seventh day on Monday, goes something like this.

The 74-year-old wakes up at 6.30am in a room hidden behind the grand stage. He takes about an hour to get ready. Shaving is a must, "a habit from his military days", says Pathare, who has been with Hazare for about 10 years.

An hour later, he gets down to writing.

What does he write? "About little things, humanity, rights... He puts on paper a lot of internal thoughts," says Pathare, 31.

"Even in Tihar (Jail), he used to write a lot. In jail he used to read newspapers and watch news on TV, but here he just writes."

Pathare added: "In the village, he sometimes doesn't come out of his house for days. No one has the guts to knock on his door.

"If someone has to bring him food, he'll keep it outside and leave. No one can dare to disturb him."

Pathare first met Hazare during a rural development project in the village. He has since become his loyal aide.

It is only at around 10am that Hazare appears before the waiting crowd, which bursts into a prolonged applause on seeing the former soldier who ferried supplies to the frontlines in the Indian Army.

He stays on the stage till 9pm, sometimes sitting in an upright posture and sometimes taking help of the bolster to give his body some stretch.

The gathering keeps a steady chant of slogans hailing him. He faintly smiles. Occasionally that he picks up a mike and addresses the crowds.

A portable toilet is placed next to his makeshift room. Doctors check him every three hours.

At around 10pm, the activist calls it a day and retires to his room.

"Anna likes to sleep at the venue when he's fasting," said Pathare, who has been with Hazare during all his last 10 fasts in the past decade.

However, during the five-day fast at Jantar Mantar here, Hazare used fellow activist Swami Agnivesh's home nearby to get fresh.

Besides the multiple medical check-ups daily, a 24-hour ambulance is parked outside Hazare's night shelter.

Balram Gupta, a doctor from Medanta Medicity, told IANS: "His blood pressure, heart rate, everything is fine. He's a very tolerant man."

Volunteers are parked behind the stage.

Around 300-400 activists are deployed at the ground, which is bigger than a football field, apart from police force.

Hazare's meetings are restricted to close aides and special guests.

Pathare said that Hazare was very particular about time.

"If he has two back-to-back engagements and the first function stretches on a little and he gets late for the second meeting, he gets very angry," he said.

Aswathi Muralitharan, who has been with India Against Corruption (IAC) for two years, reveals another Hazare characteristic.

"He will never sign a document without going through it. He'd check it 100 times and make at least 50 changes. No one can impose anything on him."

Adds Pathare: "He writes, rewrites, improvising again and again, till he's satisfied. He's a perfectionist."

No single solution to tackle problem of corruption: Manmohan

The Prime Minister said creation of Lokpal as an institution would not solve the problem and reiterated that there was no 'magic wand' to remove corruption.


With Team Anna stepping up the heat on the corruption issue, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said the government was open to reasoned debate on the Lokpal Bill but made it clear that there was no single solution to tackle the problem.

“We have introduced the bill in Parliament which is now before the standing committee. There are differences of views on details of the bill,” Dr. Singh said at the golden jubilee function of the Indian Institute of Management here.

“We have made it clear that all concerned individuals should convey their concern on different aspects of the bill to their representatives in Parliament and to the standing committee”, he said.

Dr. Singh said, “We are open to a reasoned debate on all these issues”.

Recalling his Independence Day address, Dr. Singh said, “I said (in my speech) that there is no magic wand that can solve the problem in one stroke. There is no single solution. We need to act on multiple fronts”.

He said that the creation of Lokpal as an institution would help but it would not solve the problem. “It needs to be supported by improvements in the pace and quality of judicial processes”.

He said that corruption has not disappeared from the system and it surfaces in many forms.

“The ‘aam aadmi’ faces corruption when he has to pay a bribe to facilitate ordinary transactions with the government”, the Prime Minister said.

“There is also corruption on a larger scale. Large government contracts can breed corruption when government procedures are inadequate”, he said.

He said that strong procedures were needed to eliminate corruption and the government was serious to remove it.

“It is a mistake to see corruption as a consequence of economic liberalisation and reforms, Dr. Singh said, adding “any area which has actually seen systematic reforms has seen disappearance of corruption.”

'Need to strengthen regulatory institutions'

The Prime Minister said many of the controversies that have arisen in the recent past were due to inadequacies of our regulatory institutions.

“We need to strengthen this regulatory framework, including strengthening their technical capacity”, he said.

The funding of elections and of political parties was another area calling for reforms to reduce the scope for generation of black money, he said.

Stressing the need to thoroughly revamp existing government procedures to reduce discretion and to make the basis of decision making as transparent as possible, the Prime minister said, “I have asked a group of Ministers to look into this issue and I am confident we will come up with systemic solution“.

He urged the IIM students to contribute as managers to the process by suggesting mechanisms that would increase transparency.

Pointing out that many countries have a law to govern government procurement, he said, “We propose to introduce legislation along these lines. The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law has recently modified its earlier model procurement law. We can benefit from this latest model law and internalise international best practices.

“I would urge state governments to do the same”, he said.

He said, “A comprehensive restructuring of government system and procedures along these lines is necessary if we want to clean up the system. Clean it up we must“.

Observing that economic reforms were aimed at unleashing India’s enormous entrepreneurial potential to accelerate the pace of economic development, Dr. Singh said, “Along with the techno-economic issues which we deal with in our planning process, we also need to change our system of governance to eliminate corruption. It will take time and effort but it can be done”

Sarangi meets Hazare to find points of consensus and defuse crisis

Maharashtra Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Umesh Chandra Sarangi met social activist Anna Hazare in New Delhi to find points of consensus and defuse the situation in the face of the overwhelming support for the Jan Lokpal Bill.

Mr. Sarangi, who was called to Delhi on Thursday, met Mr. Hazare twice. He confirmed to a TV channel that he did meet Anna and enquire about his health. He did not elaborate about the talks. Mr. Sarangi, who shares a good rapport with Mr. Hazare, has dealt with him closely over the past decade.

A Congress party source confirmed the meeting and said that Mr. Sarangi was perhaps the best man to talk to Mr. Hazare since he was Principal Secretary to the former Chief Minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh, and had dealt with Mr. Hazare during that period. Prior to that, Mr. Sarangi was Commissioner, Cooperation and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, a subject against which Mr. Hazare has raised many issues of corruption and fraud, forcing the government to take cognisance of his complaints.

Mr. Sarangi was involved in talks with Mr. Hazare, mediating on several issues when he was the former Divisional Commissioner of Pune. Often he would be sent to understand Mr. Hazare's demands and place them before the Chief Minister so that a solution could be found.

A native of Orissa, Mr. Sarangi, with a 30-year career, also served as the former Chairperson of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. The Centre was looking for a person who could talk with Mr. Hazare and meet him on a one-on-one basis. There was a growing concern in Maharashtra about his health as well, said a political observer.

There is a feeling in the Congress that Mr. Hazare is a reasonable person and has, in the past, been open to discussion and negotiation. Mr. Sarangi will have to rely on his intricate knowledge about mediating in Mr. Hazare's agitations from the past to understand where some middle ground can be found.

The Congress also feels that the need of the hour is consensus and not confrontation and sending Mr. Sarangi to meet Mr. Hazare is a step in that direction. The Central government has already made a public announcement that any citizen can come before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Jan Lokpal Bill and offer suggestions, a move clearly aimed at involving the people.

However, there is a feeling within the Congress that Mr. Hazare is surrounded by a group which seems to be intransigent and even the National Campaign for People's Right to Information had expressed reservations about the methods adopted by Anna and his supporters.

Team Anna to govt.: Withdraw Bill, will talk

Social activist Anna Hazare at the core committee
 meeting of the "India Against Corruption" movement
 during 6th day of his fast at Ramlila Ground in
New Delhi on Sunday

Team Anna on Sunday said the government should appoint a negotiator to hold talks with Anna Hazare on the Jan Lokpal Bill and withdraw its draft from Parliament to create “an atmosphere of trust”.

Swami Agnivesh, one of the members of Team Anna’s core committee, said they were open for talks but the government should create an atmosphere for it.

“If the government wants to talk to us it should appoint a negotiator,” he said.

“We are open for talks. In order to open a door for dialogue, the government has to create an atmosphere. They have to create an atmosphere of trust by withdrawing the government Bill from Parliament and introduce Jan Lokpal Bill. We will not budge from our stand. This is the least they should do to earn our trust,” Swami Agnivesh said.

To questions on “strong words” being used by both government and members of Team Anna, Swami Agnivesh said it would be good if both sides desist from using “such phrases” which could lead to any kind of confrontation.

On the meeting between senior Maharashtra government official and Mr. Hazare, he said the official has known the social activist for a long time and he met him in his personal capacity.

Jammu shows solidarity with Hazare

Schoolboys hold a placard in support of anti-corruption activist Anna
 Hazare during a protest against corruption in Jammu on Saturday.

Even as Jammu showed solidarity with social activist Anna Hazare through rallies and demonstrations in the last five days, Kashmir continues to remain aloof of the crusade.

People gathered in small numbers in many areas of Jammu city, and in neighbouring towns and villages, to show support for Mr. Hazare's crusade against corruption.

The demonstrations saw the participation of social activists, students, professionals and traders.

Sangarsh RTI Movement leader Balvinder Singh said rallies would be organised here on Tuesday and Thursday under the banner of “India Against Corruption”.

In the Kashmir Valley, in contrast, there have been no rallies or demonstrations in support of Mr. Hazare. Analysts give varied reasons for this.

Political scientist Gull Mohammad Wani says the Indian civil society has by and large failed to “own any empathies with Kashmiris — particularly in the last 20 years.” “Hazare and his associates are not known to Kashmiris the way Jayprakash Narayan and Mridula Sarabhai are. They had supported the people of Kashmir in crucial political times.”

Convenor of Jammu and Kashmir RTI Movement Muzaffar Bhat, however, says that the Lokpal was irrelevant to the State as it could not be implemented here on account of Article 370.

Hard-line Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani said, “The efforts by Hazare are futile and meaningless. The campaign launched by him depicts the amount of corruption in India. However, his campaign and the proposed measures to curb corruption are futile and meaningless until there exists a strong and powerful body that holds everybody accountable.” To bring about a change, he said, there needed to be a nationwide overhaul of conscience. “Until then such efforts will not bear any fruits.”

His counterpart in the moderate camp Mirwaiz Umar Farooq praised Mr. Hazare and his crusade against graft.

“An old man in India has waged a war against corruption and loot. In Jammu and Kashmir, where we are facing repression, we do not lag behind in corruption,” he said.

NCP not happy with Hazare's arrest, says it was not proper

Leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), a key Congress ally at the Centre and in Maharashtra, on Saturday said that the arrest of social activist Anna Hazare was not proper and everyone had a right to express their feelings and opinions in a democratic society.

Speaking to the media, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who belongs to the NCP, said everyone has a right to express their opinion and also to go on a hunger strike. But to arrest someone even before he went on a fast was not correct and then later taking him to jail and asking to leave was improper, he pointed out. Mr. Pawar was speaking to the media after a Congressman from Ahmednagar Rajeev Rajale joined the NCP.

Earlier, NCP general secretary D.P. Tripathi too said that there was no need for Mr. Hazare's arrest. Besides, the Congress did not take its allies into confidence before this action, he added.

HE MADE IT KNOWN

Mr. Pawar said that Mr. Hazare had made his demands much in advance and already indicated that he would go on a hunger strike. Referring to Mr. Hazare's protests in Maharashtra, Mr. Pawar said that he had carried out many protests and fasts and the leadership had found a way out through mediation and discussion. He said even now when there were issues, he and the Chief Minister discussed and tried to resolve matters. However, he was not willing to get drawn into any criticism against the Centre.

Mr. Pawar said the Jan Lokpal bill was pending and since this was a democracy, elected representatives in the Parliament would discuss it later. He said if any expertise from the State was needed, then Maharashtra was well-represented in the Union Cabinet. The Centre was perfectly capable of taking decisions on its own. In fact, some time ago, Congress president Sonia Gandhi had called a meeting of all the allies. When asked if he felt the Congress had not taken its allies into confidence, he said he would not comment on it.

‘NCP NOT UNLEASHED'

In response to questions, he said it was totally wrong to say that the NCP was being “unleashed” on the Congress as was reported in a section of the media. He clarified that the NCP was not against Mr. Hazare at all and everyone was for eradicating corruption. However, it must be done within a legal and constitutional framework. He said even the Prime Minister had accepted the need for a Jan Lokpal and it could be passed through the Parliament with amendments, if necessary. “There are no two opinions that corruption must be cleaned up and the bill such as this is can be debated,” he said.

Mr Pawar said that the current agitation of Mr. Hazare had kept political parties at bay and even their flags were not permitted. Anna's supporters were apolitical, he said.

MAVAL ISSUE

On the Maval issue, Mr. Pawar said he had condemned it in the State Legislative Assembly the very next day after the incident and both he and the Chief Minister had discussed the matter. Asked about Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's visit, he said that Mr. Gandhi was a leader and possibly a future Prime Minister and he went wherever there was an issue involving farmers. The NCP had already stated that the firing should not have happened.

When asked about proposed changes in the Home Ministry, Mr. Pawar said he had only read about it in the newspapers. There had been a lot of buzz that R.R. Patil was on his way out as the NCP was unhappy with his functioning. However, Mr. Pawar denied he went to New Delhi as was reported in the media and clarified there was no discussion on any change in the Home Ministry. If there was going to be any change, the party high command would decide and he was not going to meddle in it. And it will not be discussed with the media first, he pointed out.

NCP president Sharad Pawar is in the city to attend the Iftar party hosted by it. There are reports that he may visit Mawal en route Pune on Sunday.

Anna’s message travels on ‘Jan Lok Pal Express’

Supporters of Anna Hazare at Borivali Railway Station in Mumbai on Saturday.

What constitutes civil society? What is the meaning of ‘civil’? What is Lok Pal? These were just some of the questions passengers of the 10.57 a.m. local train posed hundreds of Anna Hazare’s supporters, who swarmed the ‘Jan Lok Pal Express’ on Saturday in a bid to spread awareness about the Bill on Saturday.

The mundane train commute turned into an educational ride for commuters as volunteers of the India Against Corruption campaign distributed fliers explaining the differences between the Jan Lok Pal and the government Bill. Volunteers, who divided themselves into small teams and boarded the 12 compartments of the train, invited doubts from people and exhorted them to support the andolan.

Volunteers enter with ticket

Befitting the anti-corruption fervour perhaps, one team leader was seen conscientiously directing volunteers to enter the first class coaches only with a valid ticket. Women volunteers campaigned in the ladies’ coaches.

Forgetting their daily stress, commuters took an active interest in what was being said and even joined the campaigners in raising the slogans ‘Vande Mataram’, ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Inquilab Zindabad’. Bogie after bogie resounded with uproarious cries packing the moderately-crowded train with much energy.

The Indian tricolours flying from each of the 12 coaches made for a spectacular sight and as the train gained momentum it seemed to have grown wings.

'People have matured'

“People have become matured and we are moving to a better democracy. I think we have been suppressing our anger against corruption for long,” Medha Shah, who asked the query about civil society, told The Hindu.

Another commuter Geeta K. Gandhi, a retired professor, said, “It is imperative that everyone participates in this andolan. If we don’t, the future generations will not forgive us. The people are not slaves. They can think for themselves. As per our culture, even the king is liable to punishment. What Anna Hazare is demanding is as per our ‘sanskriti’ [culture]. All, even the Prime Minister should come under the Lok Pal.”

Anna power

Sabishi Shankar, a first class commuter, said she had boarded a train after about a year. “I got text messages about the Jan Lok Pal Express. I am tired of simply reading about this movement sitting at home. I don’t want to play couch politics. It is easy to say on Facebook or Twitter that I don’t believe in Anna Hazare, but I am against corruption. Look at this energy! I want to see the mood at Azad Maidan. I have not told anyone at home I am going. I feel it is people like us, the educated, who can make a difference. The poor are suffering. I am privileged and not affected in anyway, but we must think of others. What Anna Hazare is saying makes sense. The government Bill is just an eyewash,” she said.

Although some commuters stayed aloof, the campaign had reached a cross section of society. Saumya Naidu, a transgender person, from a community who is routinely seen asking for money on the trains, said, “You go anywhere they ask for money, for giving the ration card, for instance. They enter politics to make money and the poor don’t get anything. Public me revolution ana chahiye [There should be a revolution among the people]. Anna Hazare is so old, but he is doing so much for the country. We should not let him fight alone.”

The lone partially-dissenting voice came from an Arts student who did not wish to be named. “It’s a good cause, but I also feel there is some merit in what the government saying. You cannot sit for a fast for everything. One person doing it does not make it a fight. We must resolve not to give or take a bribe. If those protesting still pay a bribe at the end of the day to get work done quickly, then it beats the purpose. We have to be responsible citizens. But if feels good that people have supported this issue in such large numbers.”

Bandobast

Police bandobast was put in place on platform 7, from where the train began its southward journey. As it roared into Churchgate station, the crowd of supporter had touched around one thousand. The strong gathering raised slogans and sang the national anthem at the station before proceeding to the Azad Maidan.

My fight will not end with this: Hazare

A team of doctors examining Anna Hazare on his fifth day of fast
against corruption at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on Saturday.

Enthused by the tremendous public response to his indefinite fast for a strong and amended Lokpal Bill, anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Saturday raised the pitch promising more fights in the coming days for land reforms, farmers' rights and a better education system. Earlier, he had talked about agitating for electoral reforms and the right to recall.

As his fast entered the fifth day on Saturday, he said he felt “some weakness having lost 3.5 kg,” but asserted that he will not give up. “There is nothing to worry. I will keep fighting till we get the Jan Lokpal Bill [or amended Lokpal Bill that includes provisions of Jan Lokpal Bill],” he said to a roar of approval from the audience at the Ramlila Maidan here. By evening, the venue, with a capacity of about 50,000, was nearly full.

The activist demanded that the government withdraw its Lokpal Bill and pass the Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament by August 30. There has been no initiative so far from the government to open dialogue with Mr. Hazare on his demand, which the Congress described as “unrealistic.”

“My fight will not end with the Jan Lokpal Bill. There is corruption in land being forcibly taken away from farmers for builders and companies. Farmers are being forced to commit suicide. We have to fight for them. The education system has become so corrupt that we have to pay money to get our children admitted in schools and colleges. This chain of corruption has to be broken. We have to change the system.”

Mr. Hazare was joined on the dais for a while by former Law Minister and co-chairman of the joint Lokpal Bill drafting panel Shanti Bhushan, who said that if the government had the “political will,” it could withdraw the Lokpal Bill and pass the Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament by August 30 through a “whip.”

“The Bill can be introduced on Tuesday in the Lok Sabha, and discussed on Wednesday and Thursday. It can then be sent to the Rajya Sabha where discussions can easily be concluded by August 29-30 and the Bill passed,” he said, adding that, on many occasions, Bills have been passed within minutes of tabling, without any discussion or debate.

Asked if Mr. Hazare's demands did not amount to “blackmail,” Team Anna said he was not holding a gun to the government. If he did not agitate, Lokpal will be hanging fire for another 42 years.

‘Jan Lok Pal Express' to roll into Mumbai today

India Against Corruption volunteers will board a local train from Borilivi station

The ‘Jan Lok Pal Express' will roll into Mumbai on Saturday — in it, Anna Hazare supporters will spread the word on the Bill among the city's train commuters.

Volunteers of India Against Corruption (IAC) will board the 10.57 a.m. Churchgate-bound local train from suburban Borilivi station. “We will be using the public announcement system [for spreading awareness on the movement]. The motormen have allowed us 20-minute slots to speak about the Jan Lok Pal,” said campaign coordinator Mayank Gandhi.

The supporters have also planned a 1-lakh march on Sunday, along the lines of the recent million man march at the Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt.

A group of physically challenged people belonging to the Disabled Sports Federation (DSF) have also jumped into the fray. Disability was no deterrent to four sportspersons from the Federation, three of whom were on crutches, to come from faraway suburbs. Prakash Nadar, from the Federation, said the DSF was planning a rally on Sunday at the Azad Maidan. “There is a Ministry for us and special funds, but when do they ever reach us? If corruption ends, perhaps we will get what is due to us. I had met Anna when he came to the August Kranti Maidan. I told him about my activities and work. He told me: ‘you are not disabled; it's the others who are disabled.' I liked that,” he said.

Another physically challenged person Ramesh Sartape said: “Anna's cause is right. He did the right thing by releasing himself and not walking out when the government released him. This cause is very important.”

People in Ralegan Siddhi come together in support of Anna Hazare

“This is not the age to fast. He should spread his message through dialogue”

The celebrations are on at the main village square. But inside Anna Hazare's brother's home here the mood is sombre.

On Friday afternoon, the news that he has he has left the Tihar Jail for the Ramlila Grounds in Delhi reaches Mr. Hazare's family, all huddled in front of the television set.

“He hasn't eaten for four days. The government should agree to his demands at least now. This is not the age to fast. He should spread his message through dialogue,” Mr. Hazare's sister-in-law Kantabai tells The Hindu. The pride that the family feels for him as the television anchor says that “he is now ready to lead the nation in its second struggle of independence” does not hide the anxiety. “He has always been adamant. Once he takes up an issue, he will always fight for it till the end. Our mother used to fast with him in the earlier days, but even then he wouldn't give up,” says his brother Maruti Hazare.

“I was in Delhi for the last three days, but I hardly got to see him. We haven't spoken to him on the phone since the last two weeks,” says Anna's nephew Ganesh.

Kantabai says the family has not cooked for the past two days. “We don't have any option but to watch. But he is doing this for the country. I am sure the fight will be successful,” says Ganesh.

PROCESSION OF DEITY





Outside the Yadavbaba temple, which Mr. Anna Hazare has made his home, and at the main square, the stage is set for the celebration of ‘freedom from corruption.' Slogans in support of Anna are a constant throughout the day.

The focus of Ralegan Siddhi residents is on the happenings in Delhi. In the morning, the locals participate in the procession of the village deity, Yadavbaba. “Anna worships Him, and so do we. This will give him energy to go on,” says Shanta Gaikwad.

People from various villages come to Ralegan Siddhi to show solidarity.

S.T. Padhir, who came from Hiwre Bazaar, a village in Ahmednagar district that has emulated the principles of rural development for which Ralegan Siddhi stands for, says: “Our village has benefited from Anna's ideals. So we had to come here in support.” Later in the day, the villagers take out a candlelight march.