Photographs: Vicky Nanjappa/Rediff.com Vicky Nanjappa in Bangalore
Even as Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh assured the nation that his government was committed in passing the Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare continued to accuse the government of deceit.
Speaking at a mammoth rally at Freedom Park Bangalore on Saturday, Hazare said that the government's bill is not strong enough. He also said that the government was not willing to relinquish control over the Central Bureau of Investigation. "I doubt the prime minister's sincerity in passing the Lokpal bill and I do not agree with the government's stand on the CBI either," Hazare said.
He said that he has written to the prime minister on the issue and is awaiting a reply.
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'I doubt if the bill will be passed this session'
Photographs: Vicky Nanjappa/Rediff.com
Anna further announced that there would be a satyagraha at the Ramlila maidan on Decmeber 26 and a jail bharo programme on December 30 in support of a strong Lokpal bill.
Hazare said that the government should either put in place a strong Lokpal bill or just go. "I have my doubts if the bill will be passed this session," he added.
The social activist said that there have been attempts to throttle him and his movement. "I have been threatened, betrayed and cheated by this government. But I am not one bit scared. I have been fighting against corruption since the past 25 years and will continue to do so till I die. My movement has ensured the removal of six corrupt ministers," he said.
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