'Anna avatar of Lord Krishna; will deliver from corruption'

Mumbai, Dec 27: Supporters of Anna Hazare gathered here to participate in the three-day fast for a strong Lokpal look upon him as an avatar of Lord Krishna, who will deliver the country from the menace of corruption.

Ashwini and Arti from Powai said, "We principally agree with what Anna says...So coming here was our way of expressing support and solidarity." The two women do not plan to stay overnight but will return tomorrow.

Those from outside Mumbai like Manoharlal Chaurasia from Bhopal, who will fast with Hazare, says he would be backing the Gandhian fully for a strong Janlokpal.

"He wants the CBI and PM to be under Lokpal. I am fed up with corruption. I had to pay bribe to lawyers and judges and police. When I heard Anna, I felt he was voicing my feelings," he said.

Vijay Pulaste and Satyanarayan Panchal, who have come from Haryana, Sunil Arya and Nano Varma from Delhi, do not want Hazare to plunge into politics.

"We are impressed with the 'tyag aur samarpan' (renunciation and dedication) of Anna. We believe in the 'Rananiti' (strategy) of Kejriwal and leadership of Anna. Congress has created the existing system for the plunderers and not for the common man," said Pulaste.

Panchal said people were disillusioned with Parliament because it was not heeding 'Lokbhavna' (public sentiment).

"If people's sentiments are not respected, they will be forced to look for other alternatives. For us Anna is like Lord Krishna who will rid the country of the evil of corruption," said Sunil.

Hazare's supporters were critical of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

"We were Congress supporters till the time of Indira Gandhi. 'Unhone America ko itna haavi hone nahi diya hum par' (she did not allow Americans to dominate us)," Pulaste said.

"The PM knows every thing but acts as a 'maunibaba' like Narsimha Rao. He appointed Thomas as CVC despite opposition. We never had such a weak leadership like in Manmohan Singh. We are ashamed of him," said Nano.

All four will be in Delhi with Hazare for the fill-the-jail campaign.
Amol Korgaonkar from Kolhapur, who reached Mumbai early this morning, says he came straight to the MMRDA ground to fast with Hazare. "I have brought the blessings of Goddess Mahalaxmi for Anna".

At the MMRDA ground, the venue of Hazare's fast, a separate 'shamiana' has been erected for those fasting with him. The India Against Corruption volunteers are collecting their personal details.

Notwithstanding the media hype over the fast, there were hardly around 200 people from the public at the ground which has the capacity of 40,000. A big media and police contingent was, however, present.

PTI