KOPARGAON, May 27: Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray today urged social worker, Anna Hazare, to continue his agitation against corruption without any support from political parties. Addressing a press conference at Shirdi, near here, Thackeray alleged that Hazare has become a puppet in the hands of some political parties and therefore there was always doubt in the mind of people about his honesty.

Thackeray had to admit that there was no corruption in Hazare's `Hind Swaraj Trust', but added that out of funds of Rs 22 crore granted by the Maharashtra government to him for the development of Ralegan Siddhi, Hazare had showed expenditure till March end. ``I respect Hazare, but there is a strong political hand behind him as he undertook the fast against corruption immediately after the elections to zilla parishad, local bodies and bypolls were announced,'' Thackeray said.

Speaking on the cooperative sugar industry in the state, the Sena chief said Rs 500 crore dues of the government were pending from the sugar factories.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.