Won't back down till Lokpal Bill is passed, says Anna Hazare

NEW DELHI: Anna Hazare in a message from Tihar Jail on Thursday said that he will continue his protest till the government passes the civil society's version of the Lokpal Bill. Anna will leave Tihar Jail tomorrow.

Saying that he is not at all tired by his fast, the 73-year-old Gandhian said that the government should not waste time and should read the writing on the wall.

Anna told his supporters not to worry about his health and said that he will address the country tomorrow. "I have more energy to fight the battle against corruption," Anna said. Anna also urged his supporters to carry on the fight till a strong Lokpal Bill is passed.

Anna, who was to launch his protest from Ramlila Maidan from Thursday, will fast from the ground from Friday as the venue was full of muck and needs cleaning up.

After two nights in Tihar Jail and hard bargaining, Anna Hazare and government reached an agreement early Thursday morning under which Delhi Police removed all restrictions and allowed him to carry out his hunger strike for a fortnight in the spacious Ramlila Maidan here.