Jalgaon, July 12: Noted anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare has challenged Maharashtra Food and Civil Supply Minister Sureshdada Jain to prove corruption charges of at least Rs 1,000 against him. "If Jain succeeds in proving charges against me, I am ready to do whatever work he asks me to do. But if my allegations of corruption against him are proven, he should also be ready to come to Ralegan Siddhi and do whatever work I ask him to," Hazare told a public meeting in a hall here last evening.
Hazare, who strongly condemned the state government's move, which prevents him from addressing a public meeting in open place, said, "I am touring the state to warn them of rampant corruption, particularly, in cooperative sector." He also expressed his unhappiness over the democratic front government for not passing the bill of right to information.
In reply to a summons issued in a defamation case filed by a Maharashtra minister, Hazare yesterday appeared before a local court, which released him on bail. Deferring to August 29, the case filed by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Suresh Jain, alleging that the latter had called him corrupt and had lowered his image in the eyes of the public, the court granted Hazare liberty.
Hazare had earlier, in a section of the media, named four DF ministers, including Jain, as corrupt and said he had material to prove his allegations. Bureau Report