Anna Hazare threatens to launch fresh stir on Lokpal

Allahabad, July 5: Accusing the Centre of "betrayal" on the Lokpal Bill, anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare on Friday threatened to launch a fresh stir at Ramlila ground in Delhi later this year to raise the pitch over the issue.

"After the Parliament had passed a resolution in favour of a strong Lokpal Bill, the Prime Minister had given us a written assurance that our concerns would be addressed and a strong and effective ombudsman will be in place. Two years have elapsed since then," Hazare told reporters here.

"This is an act of betrayal on part of the government which is refusing to fulfil its promise to the nation," the noted Gandhian, who made a brief halt in the city while on his way to Rewa in the neighbouring state of Madhya Pradesh, said.

"We will not take it lying down. I have decided to launch a fresh stir at the Ramlila ground in Delhi. The date has not been finalised yet, but it would most probably be in October-November.

"We will compel the insensitive political establishment to pay heed to the voice of the nation", Hazare added.

Hazare's 12-day-long fast at the Ramlila Ground in August, 2011 had received international attention and eventually led to a resolution being passed during a special session of the Parliament wherein it had agreed in principle on some of the suggestions made by the anti-graft activist and his associates.

PTI