Decentralise power, Anna Hazare says at Republic Day function

RALEGAN SIDDHI: Spelling out that his next phase of agitation would be to achieve "power for the people", veteran social activist Anna Hazare on Thursday said time had come for the masses to enjoy the fruits of democracy.

"Today power is concentrated in Mantralaya (secretariat)in Mumbai or in Delhi. There is a need for decentralisation of power," Hazare said after unfurling the tricolour at the Republic Day celebrations in his village here in western Maharashtra.

"Anna has indicated that so far the fight was for a strong Lokpal. That would continue. However, today he spoke about broadening the movement and making it a campaign to achieve decentralisation of power," the Gandhian's aide Datta Awari told PTI.

The meaning of the word Republic is "power to the people".However, that is not the case today, Hazare said.

Bollywood actor Anupam Kher, who attended the programme, said that he would provide free training to Ralegan youth at his acting institute in Mumbai. Kher had also attended Hazare's fast in Mumbai last month.