Lok Pal Bill: Anna threatens fresh stir, accuses Govt of ‘betrayal’

ALLAHABAD, JULY 5:  Accusing the Centre of “betrayal” on the Lokpal Bill, anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare today threatened to launch a fresh stir at Ramlila ground in Delhi later this year to raise the pitch over the issue.

“After the Parliament had passed a resolution in favour of a strong Lokpal Bill, the Prime Minister had given us a written assurance that our concerns would be addressed and a strong and effective Ombudsman would be in place. Two years have elapsed since then,” Hazare told presspersons here.

“This is an act of betrayal on the part of the Government which is refusing to fulfil its promise to the nation,” the Gandhian, who made a brief halt in the city while on his way to Rewa in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, said.

“We will not take it lying down. I have decided to launch a fresh stir at the Ramlila ground in Delhi. The date has not been finalised yet, but it would most probably be in October-November.

“We will compel the insensitive political establishment to pay heed to the voice of the nation,” Hazare added.

Hazare’s 12-day-long fast at the Ramlila Ground in August 2011 had received international attention and eventually led to a resolution being passed during a special session of the Parliament wherein it had agreed in principle on some of the suggestions made by the anti-graft activist and his associates.

(This article was published on July 5, 2013 by The Hindu Business Times)