Thaindian News

New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) Anna Hazare Tuesday threatened to go on another hunger strike at the end of the winter session of parliament if a strong Lokpal bill is not passed by then. The government said it is committed to a strong ombudsman and there was no reason for repeated warnings.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Hazare also warned the government that he would tour the five states that go to the polls next year and campaign for “clean candidates” but without naming any party.

The 74-year-old activist, who is on a maun vrat or vow of silence, wrote: “I had adjourned my fast and agitation due to your assurance.

“If a strong Lokpal bill is not passed in the winter session, I will start that agitation from the last day of (the) winter session,” Hazare said.

The winter session of parliament begins Nov 22 and ends Dec 21.

Reacting to his statement, the government said it saw “no reason for such a warning” as it was committed to “a strong, effective and powerful” anti-graft law.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said: “I do not see any reason for bringing pressure on the government as the parliamentary affairs minister, the leader of the Lok Sabha, Congress leaders and the prime minister himself have repeatedly emphasised that a strong, effective and powerful instrument like the Lokpal will be put in place.”

Law Minister Salman Khurshid wondered “what is the meaning of the threat”.

He said he does not “understand why there is a diquiet.. when we have said repeatedly that it (Lokpal bill) will be introduced.

“The matter is before the standing committee. When it comes from the standing committee, it will be introduced (in parliament)… What is the meaning of threatening a fast again.

“…We will not move back from what we have said,” he told reporters.

Hazare in his letter said he ended his 12-day fast in August at Delhi’s Ramlila ground — an event that caused tremors across the country — after the prime minister vowed to legislate a strong Lokpal bill.

He added that he adjourned his agitation on a written assurance by the government, because of which he also cancelled his tour to the five states that go for elections next year.

Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur are due in 2012.

Hazare held two hunger strikes in New Delhi in April and August, pressing the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPS) government for a strong Lokpal to check corruption at high places.

The government was forced to accept his demand. A parliamentary standing committee is currently examining the draft of the bill.

The letter was also marked to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Khurshid.