Thaindian News

New Delhi, Aug 17 (IANS) As hundreds of people gathered outside the Tihar Jail in support of activist Anna Hazare, he decided to stay in prison till the location of his fast is finalised, a close aide said Wednesday.

“He will continue to sit on fast in Tihar unless given unconditional permission to sit at J.P. Park or any other public place. If the government permits him to do that, he will come out of Tihar and sit there,” said Prashant Bhushan, member of Hazare’s team.

Team Anna is open to any discussion with the government but not before unconditional permission is given to sit on fast, Bhushan said.

“There has been a massive support from across the country. Our agitation now is not just limited to the Lokpal Bill but bringing about true democracy in the country. We want that people in the country play a real role in deciding policy,” said Bhushan.

Team Anna has called for a rally from India Gate to Parliament House at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Bhushan said that as of now they have decided to delay approaching the apex court against Hazare’s arrest and Delhi Police’s restrictions.

“We have to discuss it with Hazare-ji before we approach the Supreme Court,” he added.

Another associate, Manish Sisodia, earlier said: “Anna’s fast is going on, the movement is going on, he has left the barracks of the jail but is in the room of a jail official. Whatever we were supposed to do in the (J.P.) park, we are doing here.”

Hazare was jailed Tuesday ahead of his fast for an effective anti-corruption law at the J.P. Park.

The Delhi Police action led to protests across the country. The government changed its mind later in the evening and released Hazare but he refused to move out of the jail until he was allowed to carry on his hunger-strike without any conditions.