Anna’s next: United India show

As negotiations gained pace and Anna Hazare’s fast completed seventh day at the Ramlila Maidan here, the organisers continued to gain support from different sections of society.

Various tribal, Muslim and dalit leaders are expected to join the movement in a couple of days to counter allegations of the Lokpal movement being anti-dalit, anti-poor and anti-Muslims.

Since morning, supporters started coming to the venue. Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi, who visited the venue in the afternoon, lauded the movement and expressed support to it.

“Citizens have a right to say what bills and laws should be like. They must be consulted. It has not been happening. I believe this movement would lead to a better and more robust democracy,” he told DNA.

Meanwhile, Kiran Bedi claimed that Hazare’s kidney was “infected” though doctors said the 73-year-old anti-corruption crusader was fine. However later in the night, Kejriwal told the protesters that Hazare was fine. “There is no infection in his kidney,” he said.

Earlier, Manish Sisodia said, “Hazare has lost five kilograms in the past seven days. His weight has come down to 67 from 72 kg. His blood pressure is 130/80 and pulse rate 90.”

The whole day, Hazare did not address the gathering and lay on a mattress on the dais for most of the time.

As the day progressed, the number of supporters increased and also the pitch of the slogans. As it was a holiday, a lot of people from the NCR reached the ground.

Several approach roads to the venue were barricaded with hundreds of policemen on the road. But they are not complaining as it has all been very peaceful. Besides, there was no dearth of food and water at the ground, as voluntary groups and individuals continued to bring biscuits, water packets and food for the protesters at the venue.