Janlokpal: Hazare's August 30 deadline stays

Anna Hazare today stuck to his August 30 deadline for the Jan Lokpal Bill and asked supporters to intensify the protest by gheraoing the houses of Parliamentarians.

Addressing his supporters after nearly a break of 40 hours, Hazare, who entered the second week of his fast, accused the government of betraying the civil society on the strong Lokpal Bill.

Hazare told the gathering at Ramlila Maidan that protesters in thousands should protest outside the residences of MPs if the government fails to get Jan Lokpal Bill passed by August 30.

"Now, 25 to 30 people are sitting on dharnas in front of MPs' residences. If the government does not pass the Bill by August 30, we have to intensify the protest. Protesters in thousands should gherao the residences of MPs then," he said.

Alleging a few people in the government were "betraying" them, he said, "They betrayed us during the joint committee meetings.

"I feel there are only 5 to 6 people in the government who are running the country and if such people, who do not have a social or national perspective, run the nation, then that is a cause for worry," Hazare said.

"Even with Lokpal, what will happen if these traitors still run the country. This is the question bothering me," the 73-year-old Gandhian said.

The remarks came amid indications from both the government and Team Anna about the willingness to have talk things over.

"Let the government mandate somebody officially. We are waiting for a political dialogue. Today there is need for a political dialogue. It is not a technical issue. It is not a bureaucratic issue. It is a political problem," Hazare's close aide Arvind Kejriwal said .

Team Anna has maintained that no formal talks have begun even as close aides of spiritual leader Bhayyuji Maharaj handed over a fresh 11-point proposal to Hazare late last night. However, they could not meet the Gandhian as he was sleeping.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Sajjan Kumar gets relief, court acquits him of all charges in anti-Sikh riots case

Oppn not party to Finance Bill, Rail Budget passage sans debate

Coal Scam: Harin Raval's letter to Attorney General

Smart card for prisoners introduced in Bihar