Anna Hazare

New Delhi, Dec 28 - Voicing disappointment over passage of a "useless" Lokpal Bill in Lok Sabha, Team Anna today said it appeared the legislation is headed for a joint session of Parliament as the Rajya Sabha may pass a version different from the one already passed. Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan said the bill passed in Lok Sabha was "useless" as it was not the one people asked for.

New Delhi, Dec 28 - Team Anna's protest against a "weak" Lokpal Bill remained a damp squib for the second day today as supporters refused to be drawn to Ramlila Maidan. Security personnel were more visible as barely 200 people gathered at the 30,000-capacity Maidan here this morning and even prominent Team Anna members were conspicuous by their absence.

Mumbai, Dec 27 - Anna Hazare, who is suffering from fever, today refused to give up his fast despite requests from close aides. "When the doctor checked me, I did not have fever. But now, the fever has returned," Hazare told his supporters, who had gathered at the MMRDA ground where he began his three-day fast, this afternoon.

Mumbai, Dec 27 - Anna Hazare today faced a low turnout as he launched his three-day fast against a "weak" Lokpal Bill asking people to be ready for an 'aar paar ki ladai' (fight to finish) to stamp out corruption and ensure that "goondas" do not enter Parliament. 74-year-old Hazare, who sought to sidestep the appeal of his close aides to stop fast due to his health condition, said people will one day teach the government a lesson for the "betrayal" on the Lokpal issue.

New Delhi, Dec 27 - Team Anna's protest here against a "weak" Lokpal Bill today elicited a lukewarm response with supporters blaming the winter chill and absence of Anna Hazare for the low turnout at Ramlila Maidan. It was a delayed start for the protest to express solidarity with Hazare's fast in Mumbai as mercury remained at below normal level and a fog cover hung over the city.

Mumbai, Dec 27 - A handful of anti-Anna Hazare protesters today showed black flags to the anti-graft campaigner, who is set to begin his three-day fast here against the "weak" Lokpal Bill. The convoy of Hazare, on way to Mahatma Gandhi's statue on Juhu beach, was briefly stopped by around 20 men carrying black flags and national tricolour and shouting "Anna Hazare murdabad", close to the guest house where the activist stayed overnight.

Mumbai, Dec 26 - Anna Hazare arrived here tonight from his native village in Ahmednagar district for his three-day fast beginning here tomorrow against the government's "weak" Lokpal Bill. The Gandhian checked in at the state government guest house in suburban Bandra at 8.45 PM. He would stay there overnight before arriving at the fast venue.

New Delhi, Dec 26 - Hardening their stand, Team Anna members today said the four changes suggested by them in the Lokpal Bill were "non-negotiable" and plans to sit on dharna outside MPs' houses could be called off only if the government agreed to amendments in the proposed legislation. Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan also said a parallel programme will be held at Ramlila maidan here on December 27, 28 and 29 between 10 am and 6 pm and the proceedings of Parliament, where the bill will be debated, will be telecast live.

Hyderabad, Dec 26 - Making a strong pitch for granting autonomy to CBI, the CPI today said social activist Anna Hazare should be "flexible" in his approach for achieving a strong Lokpal and let the Parliament debate and decide on the issue. "Our party is in favour of a strong Lokpal. We put pressure on the government for it. We feel there are some weaknesses in the bill brought in by the government. But, we are against placing CBI under Lokpal as is being demanded by Anna Hazare," CPI Deputy General Secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy told reporters on the sidelines of a party programe here.