Pune, Aug 09: Rejecting Maharashtra government's pleas, anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare left here for Mumbai to undertake an indefinite fast today to press for his various demands, including action against corrupt ministers. He would garland the statue of Lokmanya Tilak at Chowpati and address a morcha at the famous Azad Maidan before beginning the fast. Hazare told reporters here last night that chief secretary Ajit Nimbalkar had telephoned him and said that government was ready to consider his demands and hence he should not undertake the fast. "The government's promises mean nothing to me. I don't believe them. Let them make an affidavit, then I will see", he said. His demands also include a law on transfers, legislation on right to information and more powers to gram sabhas.

Bureau Report