BJP criticises Prime Minister's stand on Hazare's fast

With the government putting conditions on Anna Hazare's fast, BJP today asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to "introspect" on his stand which it described as being against democracy.

"The Prime Minister should introspect on this issue... those who said there was zero corruption in 2G spectrum, those who first called Baba Ramdev a saint and talked to him three-four times, those who talked to Anna Hazare 10 times, then said these people were good," BJP President Nitin Gadkari said.

However, when Ramdev and Hazare did not fall in line and stood their ground on corruption the government turned against them, he said.

"Now when they (Ramdev and Hazare) are talking about removing corruption they are being targeted and government is looking for ways to end their agitation," Gadkari said.

Government has asked Hazare to restrict the strength of the crowd at his fast-unto-death to 5,000 and end it in three days.

"There is a policy that if you hold a protest, we will not allow it. The way this government is working and the statement that the Prime Minister made is completely against democracy," Gadkari said.

In his Independence Day speech at the Red Fort today, Singh said, "We want a strong Lokpal to prevent corruption in high places... I am aware of the differences of opinion on some aspects of the (Lokpal) Bill. Those who don't agree with this Bill can put forward their views to Parliament, political parties and even the press. However, I also believe that they should not resort to hunger strikes and fasts-unto-death."

Singh also said no government had a magic wand to end corruption.

Earlier, Singh had replied to Hazare's letter seeking his intervention by saying it was not his brief. The PM had asked him to talk to Delhi police about his grievances.