It's the third day of Anna Hazare's unrelenting fast and his fight against corruption, a fight that has captured the imagination of the youth of this country and has now become a roar that the Govt and the corrupt babus cannot ignore.
As the movement picks up speed political opponents too are lending their support to the fight. The BJP & Left have come out in support of Anna Hazare and have warned the Govt that the people's voices cannot be ignored any longer, that the Govt needed to step up and act swiftly or face the public's wrath.
The BJP sought an explanation from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the "rising corruption" in the country and the issues raised by fasting social activist Anna Hazare in this regard.
Addressing a press conference here, the BJP general secretary Ananth Kumar also criticised the Centre for including Union Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar in the Group of Ministers formed to look into the contents of the proposed anti-corruption bill.
"They themselves are neck-deep in corruption. What will they do? How can they be part of GoM constituted against
corruption?" Kumar told reporters here while releasing the BJP's manifesto for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly polls.
He said "The Prime Minister has to answer the question raised by Anna Hazare".
"Hazare's demand is for public good and deserves to be praised," he said.
"UPA government led by Manmohan Singh is corrupt lock, stock and barrel", he said.
Kumar criticised Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee for entering into an "opportunistic alliance"" with the Congress. "Under leadership of Mamataji these corrupt people will gather together that is not an answer for Bengal".
Maharashtra Opposition Shiv Sena and BJP came out in support of social activist Anna Hazare, on the second day of his indefinite fast in Delhi, demanding implementation of Jan Lokpal Bill.
"We are supporting Hazare's agitation in the public and country's interest," Sena chief Bal Thackeray said.
However, on a pessimistic note, Thackeray said he was not aware "how many germs of corruption will be killed due to this spraying of pesticide of hunger strike."
Maharashtra BJP President Sudhir Mungantiwar, speaking at a function at state party office in South Mumbai on the occasion of the party's 32nd anniversary, said the party was committed to rid the society of corruption and will extend 'solid support' to Hazare.
Meanwhile, Hazare's agitation continues to receive strong support in his home state, with activists holding relay fast and holding demonstrations to show their support.
In Hazare's Ralegan Siddhi village in Ahmednagar district, his supporters are on relay-fast in solidarity with the soldier-turned-crusader.
In Mumbai, activists of 'India Against Corruption' movement are on a relay fast at Azad Maidan here, to support Hazare.
They are joined by NGOs like the Jagruk Nagrik Manch, Loksatta, Bombay Catholic Sabha, Art of Living, Bharat Swabhimaan Nivas and Medha Patkar's Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan.
Yesterday, political leaders trying to meet anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare at the fasting site were today prevented from speaking to him by his supporters, prompting a rebuke from the Gandhian who said they should listen to all shades of views.
RLD chief Ajit Singh, INLD president Om Prakash Chautala and Hindutva leader Uma B harti along with their supporters reached Jantar Mantar separately where Hazare was sitting on a indefinite fast demanding 'Jan Lokpal Bill'.
As soon as the leaders arrived, Hazare's supporters shouted slogans and prevented them from going on the dais and discussing issues with the 72-year-old activist. The leaders beat a hasty retreat without meeting Hazare.
However, Hazare did not agree with his supporters' actions and said he was protesting in a Gandhian way and their behaviour should be in line with those principles. "We have said that this is a Gandhian protest. We should listen to all views. If somebody comes and talks to us, let them. We should listen to them," Hazare said.
No comments:
Post a Comment