Anna Hazare challenges Govt. for debate on Lokpal Bill

Pune, Mar 15 (ANI): Accusing the Congress-led UPA Government of playing with the sentiments of the people by continuously changing its stand on the Lokpal Bill, veteran social activist Anna Hazare on Thursday said he is ready for an open debate on the anti-graft bill.

"We have been trying to bring Lokpal bill since past one year but the federal government has always changed their stand, be it the joint committee, standing committee, in the Parliament or the letter written by the Prime Minister," said Hazare.

"After witnessing this, we have decided that we will not approach the government. We will not ask them to do this or that for bringing this law. However, if the government says that they want to have debate on Lokpal bill, then we are ready for it but we will not run behind them," he added.

Hazare said he would tour the country with an aim to make the people aware about the rampant corruption that is prevalent in the country.

"The Central Government does not want to wipe out corruption. They do not want to build a corruption free India. I will educate the people about their hypocrisy and after that I will set out on a nation-wide tour for a year and a half to create awareness among the people on the issue," said Hazare.

"I am now a 75-year-old youth through naturopathy. I am fit enough to fight against the government. And once the notification of the 2014 Lok Sabha poll is issued, I will sit at Ramlila Maidan with people in my front holding the tri-colour like they did on August 16 last year," he added.

Hazare further said that the miserable performance of the ruling Congress Party was a result of backing out to bring the Lokpal Bill.

"If the Congress had brought the Jan Lokpal bill then they would have not failed so badly in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections nor would they have lost the Goa seat," he said.

Hazare has so far been at loggerheads with the ruling Congress Party over the Lokpal Bill. (ANI)