Ralegan Siddhi: Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare ended his indefinite fast on Wednesday minutes after the Lok Sabha passed the Lokpal Bill. Anna had been on a fast in Ralegan Siddhi for the past nine days demanding that the Lokpal Bill be passed.
As soon as the Lok Sabha passed the Bill, Anna celebrated at his fast venue along with former IPS officer Kiran Bedi.
Anna thanked the select committee for bringing changes in the Lokpal Bill and making it stronger. He also thanked the Members of Parliament saying they have created history.
"This is a good step against corruption. There will not be 100 per cent control on corruption through the Lokpal Bill but at least there will be some 50 per cent control on corruption. The people will have at least some relief. I hope that this will be made into a law soon," Anna said.
Anna had also written letters to Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley for taking the initiative to pass the Lokpal Bill in Parliament.
Anna takes a dig at Arvind Kejriwal
Anna Hazare did not forget to take a dig at his former man friday and estranged disciple Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He said, "Unlike some others, we did not take any money from businessmen or foreign donors for this fast. We collected about Rs 1.5 lakh from the common people here for this. We spent about a lakh on the dias."
Ridiculing Kejriwal, he said that he would also put all details of the money received on Internet. He said that some people were misusing his name for personal gains. Anna said, "We don't want the people, those who misuse my name."
Anna Hazare had earlier questioned Kejriwal about his name being used by him during the elections. Even after the Delhi polls, Hazare had ordered Kejriwal's close aide Gopal Rai to leave Ralegan Siddhi. The public spat between Hazare and Kejriwal supporters was very embarrassing for both.
Kiran Bedi and retired army chief General VK Singh have now become Anna Hazare's close aides. They have replaced Arvind Kejriwal, who was Anna's point person and main organiser.
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