Anna not to end fast unless parliament acts (Lead)

August 25th, 2011 - 6:58 pm ICT by IANS  

New Delhi, Aug 25 (IANS) On the 10th day of his fast, Anna Hazare Thursday refused to end his protest until parliament begins debating Friday three key issues related to his call for a strong anti-corruption law.

Speaking hours after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and opposition leader Sushma Swaraj urged him to call off his hunger strike, Hazare placed three conditions — inclusion of lower bureaucracy in the Lokpal bill, formation of Lokayukta in all states, and citizen’s charters in government offices.

He told the thousands gathered at the Ramlila ground that he would stop fasting if the government agreed to introduce the Jan Lokpal Bill drafted by his team Friday and initiate a debate on the three issues.

The 74-year-old said he had conveyed this to Manmohan Singh and was awaiting his response.

“I will only end my fast if the government and opposition parties discuss the three issues,” he said.

But he warned that even after ending the hunger strike, he would stay put in the sprawling Ramlila ground until parliament passed a strong anti-corruption legislation.

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