A poor crowd on a week-end at Team Anna’s indefinite fast today did not deter Anna Hazare to threaten a fast-unto-death from tomorrow on Lokpal issue and talk about a political alternative in the 2014 elections.
Mr Hazare also took on Congress and BJP saying the country’s future does not lie safe in their hands but said he himself will not fight the elections though he would campaign for those with clean background selected by people.
He also accused the Government of cheating them repeatedly on the issue of Lokpal and said that he is forced to fast again and again, which is “not a happy thing’’.
“I will fast until we get Jan Lokpal,” Mr Hazare told a crowd of around 1,000 this afternoon.
His four-day ultimatum to the Government on a decision on his demands ends today,
Talking about a political alternative for the next Lok Sabha elections, the 74-year-old activist said if “good people” do not enter Parliament, there will be no change in the system and the country will not get a strong Lokpal.
“For a vote, Rs 15,000, Rs 20,000, Rs 30,000 are given (to voters). Those who get elected are making money and they don’t know where to keep this money. So they send it to foreign countries. Now it’s time to awaken the voters.
“Some are saying that we should give alternative, we should form a party. About Rs 15-20 crore is spent by a candidate for Assembly elections and Rs 50 crore for Lok Sabha polls. I will not fight elections. I will not put up a party,” he said.
However, Mr Hazare said that he will tour the country urging people to select people to fight elections. He said the team will probe their background and then put their names on Internet seeking people’s opinion about them.