Anna may shift fast venue from Delhi to Mumbai

New Delhi, Dec 15 : Anna Hazare may shift his proposed fast later this month on Lokpal Bill from Delhi to Mumbai to avoid harsh winter conditions that could prevail in the capital.

This was decided by Team Anna's core committee which met here on Wednesday to to chalk out its future plans, including the proposed December 27 agitation, if a strong Lokpal Bill is not passed in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.

"Depending on what kind of Lokpal law is made in Parliament, Anna will fast on December 27. Whatever it is, there will be a people's congregation on that day. It will be a fast or celebration depending on the outcome of Parliament.

"Keeping in mind the weather conditions in Delhi during that time, we have also applied for Mumbai's Azad Maidan. If weather would be fine in Delhi on that day, then the protest or celebrations will happen in Delhi," Kejriwal said.

The core committee also decided that its members will be in Parliament's Visitors' Gallery on the day when Lokpal bill will be introduced in the House, he told reporters.

Raising his pitch on the issue, Hazare found fault with government for bringing a separate Citizens' Charter bill saying it was against the assurance given by Parliament to him and urged Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee to pressurise UPA on Lokpal issue as she did on FDI in retail.

"Citizens' Charter should not be brought as a separate law. Now that Parliament has made its decision why should a second thought be given. This is not right," Hazare, who sat on a fast in Jantar Mantar last Sunday protesting against Parliamentary Standing Committee report on Lokpal bill, said.

Hazare also requested "behen" (sister) Mamata Banerjee to "put a good word forward" for Lokpal so that corruption is eradicated to some extent as her decision on FDI protected many small traders.

PTI