Modi's fast was for personal political gain: Team Anna

Anna Hazare's team on Tuesday described Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's sadhavana fast as one held for his "personal political gain".

The anti-corruption activist's aides also said the country does not need more yatras and fasts but effective steps to fight corruption, including the Jan Lokpal bill, for which they were fighting.

Replying to a question on Modi's fast, prominent lawyer Prashant Bhushan said, "It was done for personal political gain and if someone spends government money for it, we consider it corruption."

Activist Arvind Kejriwal said the country needs a strong Lokpal to fight corruption and it was not a yatra or fast which was needed in Gujarat.

"We don't need more yatras. Let the parties bring Jan Lokayukta bills in their states. The Centre may take time for various reasons. The ruling parties can set up Lokayuktas in their states," he said.

Noting that a special assembly session is being called in Gujarat to amend the Lokayukta Act in the state, he claimed that it was intended to give the chief minister more power in appointing the ombudsman.

"There is a conflict of interest in this. If the chief minister has significant powers in appointing the Lokayukta, then how will he conduct enquiries against the chief minister," Kejriwal said.