Ralegan Siddhi villagers to reach MMRDA on Wed

Concern over Anna Hazare's health weighing on their minds, villagers of Ralegan Siddhi will arrive in Mumbai on Wednesday, the second day of his fast for a strong Lokpal Bill, after observing a bandh on Tuesday.

"About seven to eight vehicles, carrying people of Ralegan, including the village sarpanch, will reach Mumbai tomorrow," Hazare's associate Datta Awari told PTI over phone from Gandhian's native village.

The village today observed a bandh as students went on a token day-long fast and a candle light march was taken out, Awari said.

They remained glued to TV to watch the proceedings at MMRDA ground on day one of the latest anti-corruption agitation launched by Hazare, he said.

"Some sarpanch and upasarpanch in a few villages in Pune district will also reach Mumbai tomorrow," Awari said.

Hazare aide Suresh Pathare had earlier said the activist has no fever and his blood pressure is near normal. "His blood pressure was 140/86 and pulse 84," he said.

There were concerns about 74-year-old Hazare's health as he was suffering from viral infection. Hazare has decided to continue with his fast rejecting appeals by his close aides Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi to call it off.