Earlier in the day, Bharatiya Janata Party ally Shiv Sena came out in Hazare's support, urging him to emulate socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan and lead an agitation against corruption.
Social activist Anna Hazare's indefinite hunger strike entered the fifth day on Sunday even as villagers blocked a state highway in support of his agitation in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, leading to traffic jams in the area.
The 81-year-old Army man-turned-activist has also been demanding appointment of Lokayuktas in states where such statutory anti-corruption watchdogs do not exist.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has initiated the process to bring the office of the chief minister under the jurisdiction of the Lokayukta.
In his letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, dated January 28, Hazare said he would launch the agitation in his village Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.
Hazare said in the past four years he had written several times to Modi but did not receive an acknowledgement.
Hazare on Sunday said he will launch a hunger strike from October 2 against the Union government for the delay in appointment of a Lokpal at the Centre.
The post of eminent jurist in the Lokpal selection panel has been lying vacant since the death of senior advocate PP Rao on September 11, 2017
Hazare had been fasting for seven days to demand the appointment of Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in states, and a better prices to farmers for their yield.
Hazare's demands include appointment of Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in states, and giving better prices to farmers for their yield.
Anna Hazare has been on an indefinite hunger strike since March 23 to press for his demands, including the appointment of a Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in states.
The venue of his protest is the same iconic Ramlila Maidan, where he had sat on a hunger strike in 2011 demanding that the then government set up a Lokpal to investigate cases of corruption.
"We have granted permission after checking all security aspects and making adequate arrangements," said a police officer.
Anna, who has been the face of the Lokpal movement, said the agitation could be held in Delhi jail also since authorities had so far not given permission for the protest despite several requests in four months.
Anna Hazare said the Narendra Modi-led government has failed to work in the farmers' interest despite coming to power by making "alluring" promises to the public.
Hazare blamed the Central government for the pitiable condition of farmers across the country.
Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare alleged here today that the NDA government was more concerned about industrialists rather than farmers.
Hazare also took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his promise of “achche din” in the run-up to the 2014 general elections.
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