No going back on issue of Lokpal Bill: Hazare

New Delhi, Aug 10: Anna Hazare today (Aug 10) said there is no going back on the issue of Lokpal Bill and demanded that all issues set aside by the government be brought back into the bill.

"There is nothing in the bill which is introduced in Parliament. It is just a show off. It has been drafted just to tell the people that we have a law to fight corruption. It will be of no use," Hazare said.

He said all issues that were set aside by the government should be brought back to the bill. "Whatever issue which we raised have been left out and should be brought back," he said.

On the proposed indefinite fast, he said it was not that he was happy fasting. "We are doing this for the public, for the country," he said.

The Hazare team did not appear optimistic about the outcome of the meeting he would be having with Parliamentary Standing Committee looking into the Bill. "There is no use in it. It is more of a formality.

"If the Committee discusses the draft, it will be a waste of time for it also. There is nothing to discuss in the bill. The government has left no way for us to call off strike," activist Arvind Kejriwal said.

On the venue of Hazare's protest, Kejriwal said they have told the police the venue should be within three km radius of Jantar Mantar.

PTI