The MMRDA ground in suburban Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai awaits the arrival of Anna Hazare, who is expected to reach here on December 26 for his three-day protest fast against government's "weak" Lokpal Bill.
Criticising Arvind Kejriwal for taking support from Congress to form government in Delhi, yoga guru Ramdev on Tuesday alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party convener became the chief minister of Delhi by "hijacking Anna Hazare's movement".
Activist Medha Patkar, who is part of Anna Hazare's core group, said in spite of talking about the broad issue, the Congress general secretary should have deliberated on the immediate issues raised by the Gandhian, whose fast for a strong Lokpal continued for the 11th day.
As Anna Hazare's fast entered tenth day today, thousands of his supporters organised mass prayers for the well being of the Gandhian leader. A large number of Anna supporters stayed at the Ramlila ground whole night singing patriotic songs and chanting anti government slogans.
Veteran social activist Anna Hazare refused to come out of Tihar jail on Tuesday evening saying he wants an unconditional release and unconditional permission to go ahead with his indefinite fast at Jai Prakash Narayan Park in New Delhi.
Concerns over Anna Hazare's health grew on Tuesday as the Gandhian entered the eighth day of his fast even as doctors said he was fine but advised the Gandhian not to venture out in the sun.
Upset over Congress leaders calling him a mask of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Anna Hazare has told Congress chief Sonia Gandhi that party leaders and ministers were "telling lies" to defame him and dared them to make public any evidence to prove it.
Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare on Monday accused the office bearers of Congress and Union ministers of intentionally "defaming" the Lokpal movement and the emerging NGO sector in the country.
Activist Anna Hazare, during a recent interview to a TV channel, stated that he could field "young and dedicated candidates" for elections across India in the future. This statement is in sharp contrast to his earlier assertion that he was not interested in political power or Constitutional posts. Hazare said, "I appeal to the youth that you keep yourself focused, keep yourself clean and keep out of controversies."
In a veiled warning to Anna Hazare for his proposed fast, Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Wednesday indicated that the Gandhian might be meted out the same treatment, depending upon the prevailing situation at that time, as yoga guru Ramdev was given at Ramlila ground.
The public prosecution in Dubai has granted bail to five Anna Hazare supporters who were jailed for violating United Arab Emirates national security laws on August 21.
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Justice (Retd) P B Sawant, whose probe found that an amount of Rs 2.2 lakhs was diverted from Anna Hazares trust for his birthday celebrations, on Sunday said this action amounted to "corruption."
A day before Anna Hazare is to reach Delhi to hold discussions about taking forward the anti-graft movement, Arvind Kejriwal-led India Against Corruption (IAC) on Monday claimed that 76 per cent of people surveyed were in favour of forming a political party.
With just three days left for Anna Hazare's fast to commence, members of India Against Corruption are running from pillar to post to secure requisite clearances for Anna's fast, reports Toral Varia Deshpande
In an interview with rediff.com's Sahim Salim, Arvind Kejriwal, who played a key role in convincing the government to allow a joint panel, consisting of government and civil society members, for the drafting of the Lok Pal bill, explains why the Anna Hazare-led movement was such a huge success.
Having plumped for electoral politics, Team Anna may soon face the acid test on whether to contest the upcoming assembly elections in Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.
As he prepares to go on a three-day fast for a strong Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare and his team on Sunday shot off an open letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and MPs urging them to make the best possible law which includes provisions for an independent investigative wing for the ombudsman.
Hitting back at Digvijay Singh, Team Anna on Monday asserted that their movement had nothing to do with any political party even as the Congress leader fired another salvo, saying Anna Hazare was being "led up the garden path" by people opposed to weaker sections.
Even as a sudden and acute health problem prevented him from coming to Varanasi for a rally, social activist Anna Hazare chose to keep his date with the masses by addressing them via telephone on Friday.
Samajwadi Party on Saturday said that there was no need for Anna Hazare or the members of civil society to start a movement in Uttar Pradesh as the party is capable of fighting against corruption on its own.
Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde, the ombudsman battling corruption in Karnataka is impressed with the manner in which Anna Hazare has taken on the government this time. Here are a few excerpts from a freewheeling chat with Vicky Nanjappa:
Social activist Swami Agnivesh on Thursday claimed if Congress President Sonia Gandhi did not ask her party General Secretary Digvijay Singh to stop statements "contrary" to her commitment against corruption, her party's image would be affected.
As Anna Hazare's fast spilled over to the 12th day, doctors on Saturday raised concerns over his health saying they are more worried as the Gandhian's blood pressure has dipped while heart beat has increased.
The Indian Institutes of Management and Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune are using Anna Hazare and Kolaveri Di as case studies to teach management to students.
Anna Hazare would call of his fast the moment Parliament passes a resolution containing three of his demands or at least table the Jan Lokpal Bill, a key member of his team Prashant Bhushan said on Friday.
Anna Hazare's 15-day fast for a strong Lokpal Bill may go beyond the period depending upon the government's response to the agitation.
Hazare, who reached Mumbai on Monday night from his village Ralegan Siddhi, paid respects at Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Juhu before proceeding to the fast venue, MMRDA ground, in suburban Bandra in a rally.
For the first time, Team Anna will have a new mascot in its posters with Arvind Kejriwal's images being used in campaign material seeking support for its indefinite fast from July 25.
Lashing out at the government for criticising civil society activists, Gandhian Anna Hazare on Saturday vowed to continue with the proposed August 16 agitation despite "threats" to "crush" it, saying he was willing "to face bullets and not just lathis.
"Two days ago, we were told by the PMO that there is no evidence to substantiate charges against the 14 ministers. We have also sent the files to Sonia Gandhi, so that she can also read it, to see what your ministers are doing," Anna Hazare said on Tuesday.
Team Anna must show some humility instead of imposing its will on society. It doesn't hold a monopoly on understanding how to make governance more inclusive, clean and people-responsive. It must recognise that finally, it is Parliament that prevailed on the Lokpal legislative process, and that's how things should be, says Praful Bidwai.
Hundreds of villagers took to the streets along with their cattle to protest the Delhi Police's action. They were later detained by the local police.
The Centre has initiated a dialogue process with Team Anna at various levels to break the deadlock over the Lokpal issue, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat said on Sunday.
Anna Hazare, who has been admitted to a private hospital here after suffering from a viral infection, is recovering and he should not fast at least for the next one month, doctors attending on him said on Sunday.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday said the organisation has not joined Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement but will participate if asked to do so.
The anti-corruption protest of activist Anna Hazare on Friday had a supporter in Suhail Hindustani, a key accused in 2008 cash-for-vote scam, who appeared in a Delhi court wearing a Gandhian cap written Mai Anna Hoon on it.
Veteran social activist Anna Hazare on Saturday stated that his movement had not been disrupted because of the split with India Against Corruption chief Arvind Kejriwal.
Under attack over allegations of financial misconduct and demands for its disbanding, Team Anna on Sunday decided to formulate a constitution for its anti-corruption movement and revamp the core committee after that.
The Congress has launched a campaign to counter the anti-graft movement by Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev and accused a section of civil society of trying to weaken democratic institutions.
