Congress attacks Hazare on Sawant report on graft,Gandhian hits back

As the two sides geared up for a showdown,Tewary asked the social activist to clarify its ‘serious findings’ against him and his trusts before launching the agitation.

In a swift response,Hazare dared the ruling party to prove the charges or he will continue with the fast even if civil society’s version of Lokpal bill is cleared in Parliament.

The Sawant Commission had probed corruption charges levelled by Hazare in 2003 against four ministers in the then Maharashtra government and also allegations of irregularities against Trusts run by him.

“I want the government to lodge an FIR against me and conduct an inquiry,” he said describing as baseless the allegations of the Congress.

Addressing a press conference here,Hazare said he will not call of his proposed fast on Lokpal issue till his name is cleared or the charges are proved.

“Even if Jan Lokpal Bill (the version of civil society) is cleared in Parliament,I will not call off my indefinite fast,till the charges levelled against are proved or my name is cleared. Is this how people are maligned?” Hazare asked.

“Congress receives crores of rupees as donation from people. Where are the details? Who knows about it?” Hazare asked,as activist Arvind Kejriwal demanded that Congress make public its source of funding within 24 hours.

Sawant,whose probe found that an amount of Rs 2.2 lakhs was diverted from Hazare’s trust for his birthday celebrations,said this action amounted to ‘corruption.’

HRD Minister Kapil Sibal rejected the Gandhian’s contention that it was crushing his Constitutional rights by not allowing his protest at a desired venue,saying the right to protest does not mean right to protest at the place of “your choice”.