`Hazare won't fast if strong Lokpal bill brought in'

BHOPAL: RTI activist and associate of Anna Hazare, Arvind Kejriwal, on Wednesday said here that Hazare would not go ahead with his proposed indefinite fast from August 16 if the government brought in a strong lokpal bill.

"It would not to be fair to call the bill presently before the government as a Lokpal bill, it should be called `jokepal' bill," Kejriwal told reporter here.

The civil society leader said everyone in the country should take a leave for a week from August 16, march with the tricolour in hand, and raise slogans against corruption.

He said that Hazare's movement would always remain non-violent and added that "we are ready to face lathis or even bullets, but we will not budge from our places".

He alleged the government was trying to spread misgivings about the Lokpal and the role of the civil society.

Kejriwal arrived here this morning and met a number of leaders from various organisations.