Anna back to slamming Centre; ups pressure for Lokpal

New Delhi, Nov 4: Anna Hazare, the anti-corruption activist who ended his 19-day silence and is back with renewed energy and vigour for an effective Jan Lokpal Bill has once again slammed the Centre for its lack of will to bring a powerful law against corruption.

Speaking at a press meet after attending the standing committee meeting, Anna spoke highly of Uttarakhand's effort to root out corruption from the system. He said, "I am hopeful that the scenario will change in Uttarakhand in the next 5 to 6 months. Poor people will see justice in the state. We will tell the government that if they want to eradicate corruption then they should follow Khanduri's Lokayukta example. We can never reach the true state of democracy till there is power to people."

Giving out a veiled warning of sorts to the Centre, Anna said that the Hisar debacle for the Congress was an example and added, "If in the winter session they don't pass Lokpal Bill, we will rally during the general elections against the parties who don't support the bill."

Raising suspicion over the real intention of the govt in curbing corruption, he said that the Centre was stalling efforts to delay the establishment of the Lokpal Bill and said, "This government is dividing the Jan Lokpal by breaking it into pieces and making it weaker. Why separate the citizens' charter. If the government does not agree to the Standing Committee suggestions then what's the point of having a Standing Committee?"

On the allegations levelled against Team Anna, he commented, "Allegations are not new for us. There should be an inquiry and anyone who is held guilty, should be punished."

OneIndia News