Hazare to begin agitation if Lokpal bill not tabled by Aug 15

Ahmedabad, May 27: Social activist Anna Hazare on Thursday, May 26 warned the Union government that he would once again launch an agitation if the Jan Lokpal Bill is not tabled in Parliament by August 15.

"If the government does not bring the bill in the monsoon session of Parliament, we will begin our agitation again from Jantar Mantar in Delhi from August 15," he said, speaking at a public meeting here.

Earlier in the day, Arvind Kejriwal, who is also a member of the Lokpall bill drafting committee, had expressed apprehensions about the drafting of the Jan Lokpal Bill being completed by June 30 as many of the core issues are yet to be agreed upon by the Union government.

"We want the Prime Minister and the judiciary under the ambit of the Lokpal Bill. We also want the anti-corruption bureaus, CBI and vigilance department under it," Kejriwal said, adding that the government did not agree to it.

"There was also fear expressed by some that the Bill would be like a Frankenstein's monster. But we have proposed checks and balances to prevent misuse," he added.

Meanwhile, Swami Agnivesh criticised Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi saying that he would like to prosecute him in court for the corruption in the state.

PTI