Anna Hazare sounds fresh warning on Lokpal, to go on indefinite fast from December 27

NEW DELHI: Anna Hazare on Saturday rejected the report by parliamentary standing committee on the draft Lokpal bill, calling it weak. Ahead of his day-long fast on Sunday for a strong Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare launched a vitriolic attack on the government, charging that it was "intoxicated" by power and said the "second fight for independence" has started which will go on till corruption is eradicated.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Anna Hazare, said, "Government has cheated the entire country; we suspect Rahul Gandhi is behind government going back on its promises on Lokpal."

Anna warned the government that he will go on an indefinite fast from December 27 if the government does not pass a strong Lokpal Bill.

Anna said that the government draft is weak and will increase corruption. He also called for the inclusion of lower bureaucracy under the ambit of lokpal.

Hazare said, "So many martyrs lost their lives for our independence but even today we cannot experience independence. Who got independent. What independence. Corruption, loot is still here. Only 'goras' left and 'kalas' came in, that is the only difference."

"So the second fight for independence has started, it is a long fight, till corruption gets eradicated, it will go on. Many people will have to got to jail again, be lathi-charged, some will have to sacrifice, that time is here now. Till we sacrifice, we won't get the right independence," Hazare told reporters.

Keenly observed by government and people, the activist will sit at Jantar Mantar, the protest hotspot in the national capital, the whole day along with his supporters demanding a strong anti-corruption law.

Hitting out at the government, Hazare said, "This government is intoxicated by power and money. It cannot see anything else. They have forgotten the sacrifices by the likes of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru. Like a drunk man becomes unconscious, similarly the government is unconscious.

"It is our job to get them into their senses. This in only a day-long agitation, after December 27, it will be a long agitation. Today that you all are here, I am energised," he said.

"Lokpal draft is toothless," said Prashanth Bhushan, key member of Team Anna.