Hazare attacks Centre for not appointing Lokpal

Attacking the Narendra Modi led government at the Centre for not appointing a Lokpal, social activist Anna Hazare said today he would raise this issue along with farmers' problems and the need for electoral reforms when he begins his 'Satyagraha' in the national capital on March 23. "I will sit on a fast during the proposed Satyagraha at Ramlila maidan in New Delhi on Mar 23 to press for my demands", Hazare, who was here on a two day visit from Feb 26 said. The face of the Jan Lokpal movement in 2011, the 80-year-old chose March 23 to launch the agitation as it happens to be the Shaheed Diwas (Martyr's Day). The Satyagrah will highlight the problems faced by the farmers, Jan Lokpal and for electoral reforms, he said. "After 2011 agitation we get a legislation passed now we will ensure that it (Lokpal) is implemented," Hazare said. He hit out at the Narendra Modi government for not appointing Lokpal at the Centre. The BJP had made a lot of promises during elections, but people are still waiting for the 'acchey din' even though its government's term is approaching its end, he said. There is no difference between the BJP and the Congress as far as the issue of corruption is concerned, he alleged. "The Modi government has weakened Lokpal. The government talks about corruption-free system but, it seems it has no intention of bringing a strong Lokpal. Under section 44 of the Lokpal Act, there is a provision for government officers to give details of their properties every year but this was amended and it's not compulsory now," he said. He added that a long time had passed since demonetisation but the government has not been able to tell how much black money had returned. "Both the Congress and the BJP are after grabbing power and money.

They are only concerned about strengthening their parties," Hazare said. Those associated with Anna claimed that his rallies got tremendous response from youths in UP and earlier in Aurnachal Pradesh, MP, Maharastra, Karnataka, Assam, Rajasthan in the past few months.

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