Ralegan Siddhi, Maharashtra, Nov 1 : Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare has written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, warning that he would resume his hunger strike after December 21, the proposed last date of Parliament's winter session, if the government fails to pass an effective Jan Lokpal Bill by that date.
“I will begin my hunger strike agitation on the last day of the Session, if the Jan Lokpal Bill is not passed in the House,” Hazare said in the letter.
Hazare's close aide Datta Awari said, Anna in his letter has reminded the Prime Minister that he had called off his indefinite hunger strike, which he began on August 16 at Ramlila Maidan, following a written assurance from the Prime Minister, which was conveyed to him by Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.
“If an effective Jan Lokpal Bill is in place, it would help the country to get rid of corruption and also help utilise more funds towards development work,” Hazare has said in the letter.
The 74-year-old activist, who is observing vow of silence at his native village since October 16, had yesterday indicated that he might discontinue the ‘maun vrat' over the next couple of days as he wants to hold “open discussions” with his supporters.
In a strong worded letter Anna wrote:
“The common man is finding it hard to make both ends meet because of corruption. He finds it difficult to run his household because of corruption. Hardly ten per cent of the money earmarked for development in India is actually being spent on development."
“The common man finds his work is not being done without paying bribes. I have devoted my entire life for the service of society and the nation and I find that the common man is facing injustice because of corruption. I have been fighting this for the last 25 years."
“I believe 60 per cent of corruption in India can be removed if a strong Jan Lokpal law is enacted. I had begun a fast at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan from August 16. The people of the country came out on the roads in support of this movement. The movement spread not only throughout the country but also to several countries of the world."
“In order to stop the agitation, your minister Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh came to me carrying your written assurance seeking time so that the Jan Lokpal Bill can be passed in the winter session of Parliament. Your letter was read out to the countrymen by your minister Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh. Because of your assurance, I had postponed my tour of five states where assembly elections are going to take place. I still believe a strong Jan Lokpal bill will come in the winter session of Parliament."
“But responsible members of your party and in the government are trying to create doubts by making outrageous statements. This is not a good thing. I have decided to sit on fast again on the last day of the winter session of Parliament, in the event that a strong Jan Lokpal Bill does not get passed. Our team will spread out to several states to create awareness among the people."
“during the forthcoming state assembly elections, I will l appeal to people to elect honest candidates without naming any political party and will ask people not to vote for goondas and looters. I again request you to fulfil your assurance to bring a strong Jan Lokpal law."
Sd / K.B.Hazare
cc Smt Sonia Gandhi, Congress President
Shri Salman Khurshid, Law Minister”
