Jokepal: Slamming govt U-turn,Anna to fast again from Aug 16

Hazare alleged the government had “backtracked” on the promises that it would agree to all suggestions forwarded by civil society members.

He told reporters he was “surprised” the government wants civil society members to give a separate draft of the Bill which will be brought before the Cabinet along with that of the government.

“If there has to be two drafts,then why was this joint committee formed? They could have told us earlier. Our draft was known to them. Why waste so much time? It is clear that the government has no intention of bringing an effective Bill,” Hazare said.

Alleging the government had gone back on assurances given to him to persuade him to withdraw his hunger strike in April,he said,“I will resume my fast on August 16… if the government tries to suppress us like they did Ramdev,we are prepared for that,” he said.

“We are ready to face lathis and bullets. I am ready to sacrifice my life for the sake of the country,” he said.

However,the Hazare camp made it clear they will attend the meetings of June 20 and 21 to see what the government has to say on the issue.

Hazare’s aide Arvind Kejriwal said the government has “frittered away a huge opportunity” to frame a strong Bill and take credit for it. “What the government is now bringing is not a Lokpal Bill but a Jokepal Bill.”

Earlier in the day,Anna Hazare had alleged the government was ‘playing tricks’ and threatened to resort to agitation again if a strong anti-corruption bill was not passed.

A day after the sixth meeting of the joint drafting committee on Lokpal Bill,he said that he did not understand the need for setting up a joint committee to draft the Bill if it was to send two drafts to the Cabinet.

After the government and civil society members failed to achieve a common ground at the sixth meeting on Wednesday,it was decided to forward two versions of the Bill to the Cabinet for its consideration.

Hazare alleged the government did not have the ‘will’ to enact a strong Lokpal Bill which has provisions to send corrupt people to jail. “What is the point of according sanction to a weak Bill? If a weak Bill is passed,then we will have to protest. If it is a weak Bill,then there is no gain for the people,” he said.

“Bringing the Lokpal Bill is not in the government’s mind. We are not getting any personal benefit from this. What is the point of having such a draft that cannot help India get rid of corruption,” he said.

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