Anna not to attend Lokpal meeting tomorrow

New Delhi, Nov 2: Social activist and India's face against corruption, Anna Hazare will not attend the Standing Committee meeting which is scheduled to be held on Nov 3. Besides, Anna Hazare, former Karnataka Lokayukta and key Team Anna member Justice Santosh Hegde is also likely to miss the meeting.

However, Gandhian crusader, who is in Ralegan Siddhi, Pune, will attend the meeting on Nov 4. Meanwhile, he has taken a vow of silence, is also expected to end it tomorrow (Nov 3).

Meanwhile, the standing committee meeting will be attended by other Team Anna members like Arvind Kejriwal, Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan.

Earlier, Anna threatened government to launch another indefinite hunger strike if a strong Lokpal Bill is not passed in the Winter Session of Parliament, which will be started from Nov 22 and ends Dec 22. In reply to Anna's threat, government said it saw no reason for such threats as government is commitment for a strong ombudsman.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said, "I do not see any reason for bringing pressure on the government as the parliamentary affairs minister, the leader of the Lok Sabha, Congress leaders and the prime minister himself have repeatedly emphasised that a strong, effective and powerful instrument like the Lokpal will be put in place."

Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid has also reacted by saying that "Passing a strong Lokpal Bill is everyone"s responsibility and not the government"s alone."

OneIndia News