Electoral reforms on Anna radar
The Gandhian leader told the people that in the next few months, he will visit different states and hold meetings to garner support on various issues, including electoral reforms.
By Durgesh Nandan Jha, TNN | Updated:
NEW DELHI: After breaking his fast on Saturday morning, Anna Hazare said he never expected such an overwhelming response to his movement.
“I will not let this public movement die down. If the government does not pass the Bill in the Lok Sabha in the monsoon session, I will carry the Tricolour on my shoulders to protest once again,” he said.
Anna suffered severe dehydration on Saturday and his condition deteriorated even though he took juice and some rice. Doctors attending to him said his blood pressure level had shot up to 190/100 mmhg and he has been advised not to speak much. “But he will get better. There is nothing to worry about,” said a doctor.
The Gandhian leader told the people that in the next few months, he will visit different states and hold meetings to garner support on various issues, including electoral reforms. “Next, I will work for Right To Recall, which would empower people to recall non-performing corporators and heads of gram panchayats,” he said.
Anna also hinted on the formation of a national organization to lead the agitation against corruption and other social issues. He claimed that the electronic voting machines (EVMs) are not tamper-proof. “I have written to the government several times about this and the response has been positive. They should either improve upon the present technology or change the system,” he said.
He was also of the opinion that the election commission should introduce a new clause for voting rights where the voter could opt for ‘no choice’ if he/she wasn’t happy with the candidate. In case majority of the votes are cast for this category, then the election should be cancelled, Anna said, adding: “Let them bribe and spend as much money as possible. If you remain honest to your conscience, they will also fall in line.”
The issues raised by him struck a chord with the people, which was evident from the fact that people from all strata of the society thronged Jantar Mantar to support the agitation. Leaders of different religious organizations, too, supported him. Anna’s was the most searched name on the Internet in the last four days as well.
“I will not let this public movement die down. If the government does not pass the Bill in the Lok Sabha in the monsoon session, I will carry the Tricolour on my shoulders to protest once again,” he said.
Anna suffered severe dehydration on Saturday and his condition deteriorated even though he took juice and some rice. Doctors attending to him said his blood pressure level had shot up to 190/100 mmhg and he has been advised not to speak much. “But he will get better. There is nothing to worry about,” said a doctor.
The Gandhian leader told the people that in the next few months, he will visit different states and hold meetings to garner support on various issues, including electoral reforms. “Next, I will work for Right To Recall, which would empower people to recall non-performing corporators and heads of gram panchayats,” he said.
Anna also hinted on the formation of a national organization to lead the agitation against corruption and other social issues. He claimed that the electronic voting machines (EVMs) are not tamper-proof. “I have written to the government several times about this and the response has been positive. They should either improve upon the present technology or change the system,” he said.
He was also of the opinion that the election commission should introduce a new clause for voting rights where the voter could opt for ‘no choice’ if he/she wasn’t happy with the candidate. In case majority of the votes are cast for this category, then the election should be cancelled, Anna said, adding: “Let them bribe and spend as much money as possible. If you remain honest to your conscience, they will also fall in line.”
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The issues raised by him struck a chord with the people, which was evident from the fact that people from all strata of the society thronged Jantar Mantar to support the agitation. Leaders of different religious organizations, too, supported him. Anna’s was the most searched name on the Internet in the last four days as well.
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