Lokpal must become a law before the Lok Sabha elections: Anna Hazare

Ralegan Siddhi, Dec 18: As the Lok Sabha passed the Lokpal Bill on Wednesday, the anti-corruption crusader and social activist

broke his fast on Wednesday following the passage of the

in parliament.

Hazare launched the hunger strike Dec 10 and vowed to continue it till the bill was presented during the current winter session of parliament and passed to make it a law.

While addressing the media from Ralegan Siddhi, Hazare thanked both the BJP and the Congress for taking lead on Lokpal Bill.

Hazare also said, "Lokpal must become a law before the Lok Sabha elections".

In an apparent dig at Arvind Kejriwal's AAP, Anna said that he didn't take funds for agitation.

Hazare thanked both the BJP and the Congress for taking lead on Lokpal Bill.

The Lokpal Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha yesterday. Hazare has thanked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his "commitment" towards passage of the Lokpal Bill in Parliament.

"The country awaits a strong Lokpal," Hazare had said in a letter to Rahul. Hazare's aide Suresh Pathare, meanwhile, told a news agency today that the Gandhian's condition has deteriorated.

"Anna has lost a lot of weight since the fast began on December 10," he said. While Hazare praised the amended draft Lokpal bill passed in the Rajya Sabha, his one time protege Arvind Kejriwal has dismissed it as a "jokepal".

Hazare said, "I accept it completely. The Bill will help the poor people of this country."

However, Kejriwal has expressed his opposition to the Bill and Hazare's acceptance. "I'm really surprised. How can Anna accept sarkari Lokpal Bill? Sarkari Lokpal is a 'jokepal'. Who is misguiding him?" he said.

OneIndia News

(With PTI inputs)