Social activist and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi will on Saturday join Anna Hazare in his ongoing indefinite hunger strike for the cause of Jan Lokpal Bill, at Ralegan Siddhi village in the district.
"I always listen to my inner voice and my inner voice says that it's not fair that Anna is sitting on fast alone and I am not," Bedi told PTI in Ralegan Siddhi after meeting Hazare who has been on fast for the immediate passage of Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament.
"I never observed fast in my life for any purpose, be it religious or otherwise. This will be my maiden fast. I am moved as Hazare is observing the fast alone. I feel that I should join him as being a member of Civil Society," she said.
Bedi further said she took the decision to go on fast after consulting Hazare who gave his consent.
The former IPS officer, who had actively participated in the Jan Lokpal movement that galvanised the nation, held over two-hour-long discussion with Hazare at Yadav Baba temple, the venue of his fast.
She exhorted people to throw out of power the Congress-led UPA government at Centre if it fails to deliver on Jan Lokpal Bill.
"People must vote against the ruling alliance at Centre led by Congress if it failed to pass the Jan Lokpal bill in ongoing winter session of Parliament," she said.
"People of India have given a clear message in recent Assembly polls to UPA government. People have chosen a corruption-free alternative (in AAP in Delhi election) due to awareness created by Anna's movement since 2011," Bedi said.
Hazare (76) began his hunger strike pressing for the immediate passage of Jan Lokpal Bill in winter session of Parliament yesterday and has clarified that he would not relent unless the legislation is passed.
Bedi said, "The emerging youth power will bend the adamant politics of India in a democratic way".
Bedi's comments came against the backdrop of altered political narrative in the country in the wake of spectacular victory of Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party, mainly on idealism, in Delhi polls.
AAP was born out of Jan Lokpal movement spearheaded by Hazare.
Bedi said the nation wanted to know why opposition parties are "silent" over the anti-graft legislation drafted by civil society activists, which seeks appointment of an independent panel to investigate cases of corruption.
She warned the government against "playing with the sentiments of people", saying the government will have to pay a heavy price in coming elections if it does so.
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