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Hazare ready to drop demand of CBI probe against ministers
Mumbai, Aug 12: Noted Gandhian Anna Hazare, whose fast unto death entered the fourth day today, softened his demand of a CBI probe into the alleged corruption by four DF ministers saying he was ready for a judicial probe if the concerned ministers were removed from the government.
Maharashtra Food and Civil Supplies Minister Suresh Jain, who has also undertaken a fast unto death demanding probe into alleged corruption by trusts run by Hazare, advised the social worker to take 'sanyas'.
"As Hazare has failed to substantiate charges levelled against me, he may now level allegations against NCP president Sharad Pawar and the Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde to divert the attention of the public", Jain claimed.
Meanwhile, to resolve the issue, Shinde has convened a meeting of representatives of Hazare's "Bhrashtachar Virodhi Jan Andolan" at Mantralaya later this evening.
Earlier in the day, the anti-corruption crusader made a brief appearance in a city court in response to the summons issued against him in a defamation case filed by Maharashtra
minister Padamsinh Patil. Hazare sought permanent exemption and court had sought reply from Patil's counsel. The matter was adjourned to October 7.
Jain, meanwhile, produced a woman, Hira Palande, a former activist in the Hazare's agitation, who levelled some charges against the social worker.
Bureau Report