Anna Hazare

Chennai, Dec 18 - Casting doubts on government's intentions over Lokpal bill, Anna Hazare today accused it of repeatedly betraying his team and said he is firm with his agitation plan if an effective anti-graft legislation was not passed in the ongoing Winter session of Parliament. Addressing a rally here, he alleged there has been repeated betrayals by the government despite assurances, "which has made us sceptical about the passage of the bill."

Mumbai, Dec 17 - A Dalit outfit has vowed to launch an awareness campaign, beginning from December 27, about the "unconstitutional" demand being made by Team Anna to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill in the ongoing winter session of the Parliament. The 'Samvidhan Bachao Andolan' (Save Constitution Campaign), to be launched by the Dalit Panther being led by prominent Dalit leader and poet Namdeo Dhasal, would kick off from Chaityabhoomi in Central Mumbai to give a "befitting" reply to Team Anna for their "anti-constitutional" demand.

Bangalore, Dec 17 - Intensifying his campaign for a strong Lokpal, Anna Hazare today asked the government to quit if it cannot bring a strong anti-corruption law, dismissing the draft of the legislation offered by it as "worthless". Addressing a huge gathering at Freedom Park here, Hazare said the government had become "blind and deaf" to the needs of the poor and was not helping them in their fight against corruption.

New Delhi, Dec 17 - Cranking up pressure, Anna Hazare today wrote a fresh letter to Prime Minister saying doubts have arisen over the passage of Lokpal bill in this Parliament session and threatened to go ahead with his proposed fast and 'jail bharo' agitation if it is not done. Hazare alleged that the government's behaviour was "not at all right" and asked why Singh changed his stand on Citizens' Charter despite giving a written assurance that it will be part of the Lokpal bill.

New Delhi, Dec 17 - Anna Hazare today wrote a fresh letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying doubts have arisen over whether Lokpal Bill will be passed by December 23 when Parliament session gets over and threatened to go ahead with his proposed fast and 'jail bharo' agitation. In a four-page letter, he alleged that the government's behaviour was "not at all right" and asked why Singh changed his stand on Citizens' Charter despite giving a written assurance that it will be part of the Lokpal bill.

Bangalore, Dec 17 - Anna Hazare today voiced confidence that Lokpal Bill, once brought in Parliament, would be passed as it enjoyed sufficient support, but warned the government that a delay would invite another round of protest. The anti-corruption activist, who is in the city for his "save lokayukta" campaign, said the prospect of an indefinite fast loomed if the government does not bring the bill in the Winter Session of Parliament.

New Delhi, Dec 15 - Stepping up pressure, Anna Hazare today announced a new agitation of filling up jails (jail bharo) from January 1 if Parliament does not pass a strong Lokpal law, amid indications that it is unlikely to be done before the scheduled conclusion of the current winter session. The agitation is in addition to the indefinite fast Hazare has already announced from December 27 unless a strong Lokpal bill is not not adopted by Parliament.

New Delhi, Dec 15 - As consensus eluded political parties on Lokpal issue, Anna Hazare today said he has confidence in Parliament that it will pass the bill as everybody in government has given his team the assurance. However, he said if there is not enough time for deliberations on the legislation, the Winter Session of Parliament should be extended for passing Lokpal Bill.

New Delhi, Dec 14 - CBI, which has expressed unhappiness over various issues related to Lokpal, today got support from Team Anna which said the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee were dangerous and should be rejected. "We support CBI's protest and believe that the Standing Committee's report is dangerous and should be rejected," Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal told reporters here.