Low turnout marks launch of Anna Hazare's 3-day fast

A surprisingly low turn-out marked the launch of Anna Hazare's three-day fast against the government's Lokpal bill which he described as "betrayal" of the people.

As 74-year-old Hazare sat on the fast at the MMRDA ground, the estimate of people at the venue varied between 4,000 to 10,000 in sharp contrast to upto 30,000-40,000 that poured in Ramlila Maidan in August.

Team Anna had said that they expected over a lakh people to turn up at the protest venue in Mumbai. In Delhi too, a negligible number of protesters were at Ramlila Maidan.

Addressing the protesters, Hazare vowed to continue the "fight to the finish", warning the UPA government that he will campaign against it in the upcoming Assembly elections in five states and later in the Lok Sabha polls.

The Gandhian, who began the latest round of protest ignoring concerns over his health, asserted that the ambit of his agitation will soon be expanded to include radical electoral reforms like Right to Reject candidates.

Seeking to broadbase his agitation, Hazare said he has invited Baba Ramdev to join his stir and the yoga guru will visit the fast venue on Wednesday or Thursday.

"It is going to be a long-drawn battle. The agitation for strong Lokpal is like second war of independence and it has to be treated like that. We have to fight to the finish, even if we have to go to jail, we don't care," Hazare, who looked a little under the weather but resolute as usual, said.

Accusing the government at the Centre of betraying the people, he said, "this is not betrayal of Anna Hazare or Team Anna. This is the betrayal of people who will teach you a lesson."

Hazare, who is suffering from viral infection, reaffirmed his decision to campaign against the Congress in all the five election-bound states that includes Uttar Pradesh.

"Some people are trying to threaten us. They say they will not allow us to visit (the states where polls are to be held). Those whose fear of death has died don't fear anything," he said.

Hazare said he would tour the entire country to spread awareness about the intentions of the government. "We will tell them that the nation's treasury is under threat more from its keepers than thieves. The nation faces greater threat from traitors within than enemies outside."

Underscoring the need for cleansing the polity of undesirable elements, Hazare said alongside the agitation for a strong Lokpal, he would strive for the people's Right to Reject "criminals and goondas" contesting elections.

"Goondas are coming to Parliament. There are 150 criminal offenders. What will become of the country when people accused of criminal offences will be there. We will insist that a law be enacted which gives the people the Right to Reject," he said.

"The Right to Reject will prevent undesirable people from entering the shrines of democracy like Parliament and state legislatures. People with unimpeachable character should be there," Hazare said.

Defending what his critics call his "pressure tactics", Hazare said "Sometimes one has to close the nose to make somebody open his mouth. We will have to speak the language government understands."

He demanded that if the Centre or state government required land for industry, approval of the Gram Sabha be made mandatory. "The land belongs to Gram Sabha and you snatch it while seated in Delhi. Is is democracy? It is dictatorship."

Hazare termed as a great victory of the civil society the enactment of Right to Information law for which he and other members of his team like Arvind Kejriwal fought tenaciously.

"Today if A Raja or Suresh Kalmadi are in jail, it is because of RTI. It has this kind of power," Hazare said.

"I left my home 35 years ago never to return despite living in that village. My three brothers have children whose names I don't know. Instead of confining myself to family, I made the entire country my family," he said.

Downplaying concerns over his health, Hazare said he had not eaten for the last three days due to fever and cold, but was all right as "people give me energy".

Earlier in the day, Hazare began his fourth fast this year for a strong Lokpal, chanting 'Vande Matram' and 'inqilab zindabad' amid loud cheering by the gathering.

The activist reached the venue after paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Juhu Beach. It took the convoy two-and-half hours to reach the ground, winding through Santacruz, Tulip Star Hotel, Mithibai College, SV Road, Vile Parle, Khar and Bandra Highway.

Hazare travelled in a decorated open truck from the guest house to MMRDA grounds waving the tricolour.

There was some drama on way as around 20 men briefly stoped his convoy at Bandra and showed him black flags. The protesters shouting "Anna Hazare murdabad" were soon removed by the police.