New Delhi: Rejecting contention that Lokpal
proposed by it was aimed at creating a "parallel" government,
Anna Hazare today said he will undertake fast-unto-death from
August 16 and would not be go back on his decision even if the
government makes any request.
A day after the joint committee for drafting Lokpal Bill
wound up in a failure, the Hazare team lashed out at the
government, saying it was "cheating" and "misleading" people
and had pulled out a "very big hoax" through its version of
the legislation.
Hazare said it was time for all like-minded people,
including Ramdev with whom he was maintaining distance due to
his proximity to Hindutva elements, to join hands in the fight
against corruption, which he termed a "bigger danger for the
country than Pakistan".
Addressing a press conference here, he took strong
exception to the government`s contention that the civil rights
activists wanted to create a "parallel" government through
their version of Lokpal Bill.
He asked whether the government considered an
"independent" Election Commission or Supreme Court as a
parallel.
Alleging that the government had no intent to bring a
strong anti-corruption law, Hazare said, "the suspended
agitation (of his fast) will be restarted from August 16 for
the nation and the people. I will be carry on with the
agitation till I live."
Observing that he had "no faith" in the government now,
he said, "even if the government approaches me, I will not
change my decision. I will no longer believe their words but
only their acts."
PTI
