05 October,2011 08:01 AM IST | | A Correspondent
Anti-graft crusader asks Centre to pass Jan Lokpal bill in winter session of House
At a public forum, Anna Hazare took on the government head on and gave an ultimatum asking it to pass the Jan Lokpal bill in the coming winter session of the Parliament. Hazare also appealed to the people to not to vote for Congress candidates if the bill was not passed in the Parliament. "I am planning a nationwide tour soon, including the five states where elections will be held. I shall fast for three days in Lucknow during the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections if the government does not respond to my demands," he said.
Firm stand: Anna Hazare with his associateu00a0 Arvind Kejriwal in
Ralegansiddhi yesterday
Dealing with Cong
Hazare said he would start his nationwide movement from Hisar. "I am doing this only because the Congress is not willing to pass the Jan Lokpal bill even as other political parties have declared their support," said Hazare.
Support for Bhatt
Extending his support to suspended IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt, Hazare said, "It is sad that people who speak the truth are put behind bars. It is absolutely wrong, as the case is still pending. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi should not have sent Bhatt to jail."
Hazare also objected to the present electronic system at toll nakas on highways and said these nakas had become extortion spots, as there was nobody to control them. "I shall give a month's time to the MSRTC to make the toll collection system transparent," he said.
No political leanings
Arvind Kajriwal, who also visited Ralegansiddhi on Tuesday, clarified his political stand in the elections and said: "We are not supporting any candidate. In fact, let the citizens decide who is aright and who is wrong. Our stand is absolutely transparent. We do not support any one and are only expressing our opposition," he said.
Kajriwal was in Ralegansiddhi yesterday after completing 10 days of Mauna Vrat (keeping silent). He wanted to discuss some issues with Hazare, said Jaisingh Mapari, sarpanch of the village.
