Tuesday, September 13, 2011

L K Advani's yatra a gimmick, says Anna Hazare-We have not asked for Hazare's support to Advani yatra: BJP Sep 13, 2011

L K Advani's yatra a gimmick, says Anna Hazare/We have not asked for Hazare's support to Advani yatra: BJP

PTI | Sep 13, 2011, 08.27PM IST



RALEGAN SIDHI: Anna Hazare today called L K Advani's proposed yatra against corruption as a "gimmick" and said he would not support the BJP unless it backs the Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament and its governments enact a legislation for appointing Lokayuktas in states.

Hazare, who was on a 12-day fast demanding strong Lokpal in New Delhi last month, tore into the Congress and UPA government saying many people "inside the Congress think they are the prime minister".

"If Advani is serious on the issue of corruption, then instead of yatra, he should ask all BJP-ruled states to enact legislation for appointing Lokayuktas... it is a gimmick," he told television channels here.

"Absolutely not. If BJP says that they support Anna then they should bring Lokayukta Bill in their states. First bring Lokayukta and then (ask for) support," he said in a response to a question whether he would join any political yatra, especially the one to be undertaken by Advani soon.

Hazare said he and his team would support BJP only if states ruled by the party Lokayuktas and back "Jan Lokpal in total" in Parliament.

Criticising Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P Chidambaram and HRD minister Kapil Sibal, Hazare, who was part of the joint drafting committee along with the three, said they "behaved like prime ministers".

To a specific question about the three ministers, he said, "Everyone knows that they behave like prime ministers. Why do you want me to spell it out?"

Hazare said he would support a front consisting of non-corrupt people from non-BJP, non-Congress parties but not lead them.

"I will support them but not lead them. Because that is the only solution to make a strong nation. The good people of all parties can come together and I will tell the people of the country to support them," the Gandhian said.

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