Lokpal row: Anna's supporters' gear up to support his proposed fast

Mumbai, Dec 18 (ANI): With Anna Hazare threatening to go on an indefinite fast from December 27 at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi if a strong Lokpal Bill is not passed in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, supporters of the veteran social activist reiterated his decision by holding prayer sessions in city churches here on Sunday.

Volunteers of 'India Against Corruption' held awareness programmes across the city to galvanise people towards the movement.

"The public feels that the government does not want to invite trouble for themselves. The way Jan Lokpal Bill is being delayed from last 42 years gives away the message that nobody wants to sign their death warrant," said Hitesh Cheda, Volunteer, India Against Corruption (IAC).

"This means that who are in power think that if this bill is passed this will transfer power in the hand of people. This bill will play a very important role in Anna's dream to decentralise the power," he added.

74-year-old Hazare's supporters also stressed on the need for the passage of an effective ant-graft bill to combat corruption from the country.

"We are holding this prayer session to convey the message to the government that till now we were praying for ourselves but today we are praying for Jan Lokpal Bill, that the bill should be enacted soon as this the only tool that can root out corruption, otherwise the corruption will not end," said Ashok Tripathi, a supporter of Hazare.

"The government is not willing to pass the bill. If government wants then the bill can be passed, as many people want that to happen," he added.

Despite assurances from Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh that the government is committed to bring in a strong and effective Lokpal Bill in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, Hazare is expected to address his supporters in Tamil Nadu's Chennai city today in an endeavour to ensure that the anti-graft legislation is passed without any further delay.

Meanwhile, the Union Cabinet is expected to meet in New Delhi this evening to discuss the proposed legislation before it is introduced in Parliament on Monday. (ANI)