Thaindian News

Mumbai, Dec 26 (IANS) Anna Hazare Monday evening reached Mumbai ahead of his three-day agitation for a strong Lokpal bill.

Hazare, who looked fit and fine, is likely to halt at the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority ground (MMRDA) at central Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex before he settles down for the night ahead of his fast starting Tuesday.

Although sources say that Hazare is likely to stay at the PWD guesthouse in suburban Bandra, those close to him refused to reveal the venue of his night stay.

“Owing to security concerns, we are not revealing where Annaji would be staying Monday night before he begins his fast Tuesday morning,” a close associate of Hazare, who did not want to be identified, told IANS.

However, strict watch will be kept on Hazare and his speeches by the state home department, said officials.

Additional Chief Secretary of Home U.C. Sarangi said that the state government will keep a strict watch on Hazare’s agitation and his speeches during the three-day agitation.

Sarangi also warned that if anything objectional is found in his speeches, the government will take appropriate action against him.

Sarangi, who in the past 25 years has resolved several agitations in the state involving Hazare and is negotiating with the social activist to break the Lokpal logjam, has held talks with him on behalf of the government during his earlier hunger-strikes.

However, it is not clear whether he will do so in Mumbai this time, where Hazare is all set on fast at the MMRDA ground.

The 48,000-square-metre MMRDA ground has a capacity to accommodate over 60,000 people. However, it will be renting out 20,000 square metres for the rally and 10,000 square metres for parking.