'Acche Din' only for industrialists, not for farmers and poor, says Anna Hazare

Ralegan Siddhi, Feb 17: Ahead of his protests in Jantar Mantar against the Land Acquisition ordinance, social activist Anna Hazare today attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "thinking" about industrialists but not farmers and the poor.

Taking a swipe at Modi, Hazare said "achchhe din (good days)", which was a campaign theme of BJP during Lok Sabha elections, has come "only for industrialists" since he assumed office and claimed India's future would not be bright by following these policies.

Hazare, whose anti-corruption movement had sparked off massive protests during the previous UPA regime, also praised Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and hoped his former protege will implement some of the plans he has for making the capital a "model city".

"Modi ji thinks about the welfare of industrialists not about the poor or farmers. It seemed after he came to power that 'achchhe din' will come but they have come only for industrialists," he told Headlines Today, adding his popularity has come down.

Hazare is scheduled to hold protests against the Land Acquisition ordinance in the national capital on February 23 and 24 along with farmers' bodies.

He criticised the government's move to do away with provisions of taking consent of a big majority of farmers before acquiring their land and said it was working at the behest of business groups.

Though Hazare praised Kejriwal, saying people like him have the welfare of society on their mind, he has at times been critical of the AAP leader after he decided to join politics against his wishes.

PTI