Hazare begins indefinite fast on Jan Lokpal Bill

Anna Hazare on Tuesday began his indefinite fast at his village in Maharashtra to press for immediate passage of Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament even as Government said it was serious about getting the anti-graft measure passed in the current session itself.

Accusing Congress of "betrayal", 76-year-old Hazare said it should understand the reality after the drubbing it received in the just-concluded assembly elections in four states and ensure the passage of the Lokpal Bill immediately.

It is for the fourth time that Hazare is going on a hunger strike in the last three years in support of the Jan Lokpal Bill.

"I offered prayers at the local temple before beginning the fast and asked god to give the government subuddhi (conscience) to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill," Hazare told reporters at Ralegan Siddhi minutes before commencing the fast.

Talking to PTI, Hazare said, "Jan Lokpal Bill will be big step towards nation building."

He said time has come for the UPA government to deliver on its promise or quit.

The Gandhian later said there is no plan to call of the fast which he is undertaking at Yadav Baba temple.

Apparently rattled by the fledgling Aam Aadmi Party's spectacular performance in Delhi Assembly polls, Government said it was serious about passing the Bill in the current session of Parliament.

Minister of State for Personnel V Narayanasamy, who has piloted the bill in the Rajya Sabha, blamed opposition for not allowing to run the House where the bill could be taken up.

"As far as the Lokpal bill is concerned I have given notice to Chairman Rajya Sabha for taking up the Lokpal Bill. ...Government is taking all sincere step to pass the Lokpal bill," he told reporters in Delhi.

Talking to reporters outside Parliament House, Narayanasamy said the Government has accepted some of the recommendations given by Select Committee of Rajya Sabha.

The controversial bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha, faced opposition hurdle in the Rajya Sabha on various rovisions, including the one making it mandatory for states to set up Lokayuktas.

In view of the sharp divide, the bill was referred to the Select Committee.

"We have accepted some of the recommendations given by them (the Select Committee). The Government is ready to debate and discuss and then to pass the Lokpal Bill," Narayanasamy said.

Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said Government is keen to table three key legislations including the Jan Lokpal Bill in the current session of Parliament.

The social activist, who had shot to national limelight with his fasts in Delhi over the issue, said the Congress should understand the reality after the serious drubbing it received in the just-concluded Assembly elections and ensure the passage of the Lokpal Bill in the Winter Session of Parliament.

Asked if Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal is welcome to Ralegan Siddhi to support his fast, the Gandhian said, "Everyone, including Kejariwal is welcome. The only condition is that they must come without the banner of a political party."

Meanwhile, sources said Maharashtra government's efforts to persuade Hazare to withdraw his fast proved futile as the veteran Gandhian remained firm on his resolve.

Hazare refused to accept the Centre's assurance on the passage of Jan Lokpal Bill, which was conveyed to him by Maharashtra government's interlocutor Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat, they said.

According to sources, Hazare asked Thorat to provide the assurance on the passage of the bill in writing.

Sources said Thorat requested Hazare to break the fast citing health reasons because of a surgery he recently underwent, but Hazare put his foot down, saying "It's high time to take concrete steps to weed out corruption".