Anna Hazare to continue vow of silence

Anna Hazare on Thursday decided to continue his maun vrat as his health is not permitting him to break it even as all his team is meeting this Saturday to discuss the controversies surrounding it. Hazare will not attend the core committee meeting of the Team scheduled to be held in the Capital. Hazare said that his health is not permitting him to give up his maun vrat. He added that maun vrat helps him to heal his body from inside and outside. Hence to keep his physical condition in mind, he has decided to continue with his maun vrat. Hazare is to begin his maun vrat on October 16 at his native village in Maharashtra for peace of soul. Hazare has shifted from his residence from the Padmavati Temple Complex to his old residence, Yadavbaba Temple Complex in his village.

Team Anna is engulfed in a serioes of controversies in the past few days, including Prashant Bhushan in the team following his controversial remarks in Kashmir following the alleged financial misconduct by Anand Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi. The meeting comes after the resignation of two prominent activists P V Rajagopal and Rajinder Singh from the core committee, apparently unhappy over the movement moving towards party politics.

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Threat to Anna's life, government orders security review

According to the media reports, the Union Home Ministry said on Wednesday that it has received inputs from local agencies on a threat to social activist Anna Hazare's life.

This happened subsequently after the Team Anna Hazare members Prashant Bhushan and Anand Kejriwal was attacked.

Reports says that the Maharashtra Director General of Police has ordered a review of Anna Hazare's security at his native village Ralegan Siddhi.

Anna Hazare is currently on a vow of silence in his native village.

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Notice to Anna over alleged mismanagement of funds by his NGO

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to Anna Hazare on a public interest litigation seeking  a CBI probe into the allegation of mismanagement of funds by Anna's NGO Hind Swaraj Trust.

The court has also issued notices to the Maharshtra government and the CBI on a plea by the petitioner Supreme Court advocate M L Sharma.

The petition alleges that Anna Hazare's NGO did not maintain its accounts from the year 1995 to 2003, of funds given to it by the Maharashtra government and the Centre.

The NGO had already admitted the report of the PB Sawant Commission that had investigated complaints about it.

The Supreme Court has also issued a notice to CAPART, an organization under the Rural Development Ministry, which disburses grants to NGO's.

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Anna takes on RSS, Congress ahead of Hisar by-polls

Anti-corrption crusader Anna Hazare in a video CD has appealed to the masses and asked them to not to vote for Congress in the upcoming polls in Hisar, Haryana.

In this open attack into the political battlefield of Hisar by-polls which has given a political turn to Anna Hazare's  fight against corruption.

Team Anna Hazare will be campaigning for the seat over the next few days, asking the people the peope not to vote for Congress in the next by-polls as it failed to accept Jan-Lokpal Bill.

The politics over Anna Hazare began on Thursday when Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray ridiculed Anna Hazare's protest against corruption as being unrealistic.

But the Congress which has been at the receiving end of Anna Hazare's attacks, found an opportunity to hit back. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat also suggested that Anna Hazare's protest had the support of RSS while Team Anna was guarded. Congress leader Digvijay claimed that he was blameless.

Anna Hazare openly campaigning against the Congress, a defeat here is bound to be seen at the first casualty of the Anna movement.

Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh is likely to call an all-party meeting soon. After Lokpal, electoral reforms bill is Anna Hazare's next big step and the Congress doesn't want to lose out again.

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Anna wants performance audit for MPs

Social Activist Anna Hazare has decided to write a letter to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the impending Right to Reject clause in elections. Prominent member of Team Anna, Aravind Kejriwal made an announcement in this regard while addressing the media and supporters of Anna Hazare from Siddhi.

Kejriwal announced that Anna Hazare will write a letter to the Prime Minister over the issue of the Right to Reject clause in elections. He added that the elected representatives must be held accountable for  performing their duties. And stated that they are also going to meet Chief Election Commissioner S Y Qureshi over the issue.

Kejriwal also taking a stand on the proposed Land Acquisition Bill, he announced that Anna Hazare's letter will also suggest some changes in the Land Acquistion Bill currently under the purview of the Parliament. Kejriwal further added that the suggestions include taking the views on Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats into consideration while deciding on the bill.

When asked about the BJP leader L K Advani's announcement of a country-wide yatra against corruption, Kejriwal said that the country wants a Jan Lokpal Bill, not a yatra. He said that all the political parties should come together to get the bill passed. They should ensure that the MPs vote in Standing Committee and Parliament for Jan Lokpal Bill.

Replying to the allegations of another social activist Aruna Roy, Kejriwal said that she has accused them of not discussing their version of the Jan Lokpal Bill with her. And added that it is a false accusation and he rightly rebutted it. He clarified that they discussed the bill with her on April 3^rd and 4^th. She also had a detailed discussion with one of the team member on April 16. He clarified that Roy's team had not drafted any law but only proposals. He said that Team Anna Hazare and Roy differs on mainly three issues- on the inclusion of Prime Minister and lower Bureaucracy and citizens charter. He said that they are open to talks. And said that they indeed also invited Roy and team for a public debate. He said that it is their duty to ensure that those MPs who are not supporting the bill should not be re-elected. No-one should vote in their favour.

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Team Anna to meet tomorrow at Ralegan Siddhi

The core committee of Team Anna Hazare begins it two-day meeting at his native village of Ralegan Siddhi on Saturday to devise a strategy for passage of the Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament, in the first formal engagement after the anti-graft crusader's fast last month. According to the sources close to Anna Hazare it stated that the 22 member group will,  will also discuss the issue of electoral reforms after Hazare's call for voter's right to reject and recall.

However, Swami Agnivesh, a prominent member of the core group, who parted ways after circulation of a CD, which showed him purportedly talking to the Union Minister Kapil Sibal and telling him to act tough with Hazare.

Crying betrayal, Agnivesh had accused certain members of the team Anna Hazare of conspiring against him and said the vicious campaign was aimed at destroying his credibility.

A key member of the group and the former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, who had addressed a gathering of students at a Pune college on Friday, confirmed that Swami would not attend the meeting.

She told the reporters that he would speak for himself and when they sought information about Agnivesh whom she had dubbed as a government mole in the anti-corruption movement after the CD leak.

Sources said that they would also discuss the ways  to further mobilise public opinion in favour of the Jan Lokpal Bill to make it an instrument for achieving the goal of a corruption-free India.

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Team Anna rallies behind Kiran Bedi on privilege issue

Team Anna Hazare on Tuesday rallied behind its key member Kiran Bedi who is facing a breach of privilege notice in Parliament for making controversial remarks against MPs, warning such move will be  perceived by the people as lawmakers seek way to pay revenge on them.

A key team memmber, Arvind Kejriwal said that the entire team is solidly behind Bedi. He said that she will respond to the notice as and when the notice is received. The notice has not been received so far and it does not constitute the breach of privilege of Parliament.

Prashant Bhushan, Lawyer and another Anna Hazare Team member said the move to serve a notice to Bedi was unfortunate as she had not said anything which could be termed as a breach of privilege.

He claimed that there had also been talks that he and another member Arvind Kejriwal will also get privilege notices.

Bhushan told the reporters that perhaps the MPs are thinking that our fight is against MPs as we talk about their corruption. People will find it as a way for the MPs to seek revenge.

Bedi, the former IAS officer said on Monday that she was not going to apologise and  was prepared for any punishment.

In contrast to Bedi's stand, actor Om Puri, who was facing the breach of privilege notice, apologised for using derogatory remarks to put down the political class.

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Nations victory, thousands begins march from India Gate

Thousands gathered today evening at India Gate to celebrate the victory of Anna Hazare's campaign against anti-corruption  which took the nation by storm. Anna Hazare on Sunday broke his 12 day fast declaring that electoral reforms will be his top priority in the agenda.

After a few days of protest by Anna, festivities began last night after the Parliament  passed a resolution agreeing the three demands of Anna Hazare on Lokpal issue, which reached a climax when the Gabdhian accepted a glass of coconut water from the Dalit and a Muslim girl named Simran and Ikrah at 10:20 am, breaking his 288 hours of fast that began on August 16.

As a symbol of his victory, victory flags were put up in almost every house in his village in Maharashtra as people who assembled outside the Yadavbaba temple where he lives, said they were eagerly waiting to see their 'Hero' come back home very soon.

Hazare's close aide Datta Awari said that they are also eagerly waiting for his return. He is their hero and want to give him a hero's welcome.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra modi was quoted saying that those who taken Naxalism and terrorism should learn from Anna Hazare's anti-corruption campaign as it has reinforced confidence in the strength of non-violence which is inherent in the "DNA of Indians".

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the ending of the fast by Hazare was a victory of the people's power and showed the resilence of parliamentary democracy.

Dr. Ratna Magotia who had been fasting along with Anna Hazare for the last 12 days said that so as to express solidarity with Hazare, 17 people had been fasting at Azad Maidan and added that there is no words to express his happiness and this victory is a victory of common man.

India Against Corruption which superheaded the agitation said they were elated over the victory. Mannan Gandhi, a member of the IAC said Hazare supporters poured onto the streets in Kolkata distributing sweets and singing the national song.

West Bengal CPI-M secretary Biman Bose said that ending of fast by Anna Hazare is a good decision and they are happy for the implementation of an effective Lokpal Bill.

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Parliament passes unanimous resolution

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said that Lok Sabha has adopted 'sense of House' on three key issues raised by the Anna Hazare. The House was adjourned without any voice vote. The House was adjourned till Monday by the Speaker after a 'sense of House' was taken and there was a sense of unanimity in the passing of this resolution.

Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee requested the Speaker Meira Kumar to accept the sense of the House and forwad it to the Standing Committee.

He also made it clear on the point that he will adopt this sense and will forward the same to the Standing Committee after examining the Lokpal Bill. He said that the Standing Committee will bring a revised legislation to the House.

According to Yashwant Sinha, both the BJP and the present government were in agreement that no voting was required and the sense of the House has to be conveyed to the Speaker.

Team Anna member Medha Patkar stated it as a part betrayal. She added that this was not what they agreed on with Khurshid, it was a part betrayal.

Anna Hazare is expected to end his fast on Sunday at 10 am after the Mumbai Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh presented him with a copy of the resolution adopted by the Parliament, agreeing to his three demands.

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Will end fast only if government agrees three conditions : Anna

Social activist Anna Hazare today reiterated that he will end fast only if there is compromise on three issues that has been raised. The three points are namely Citizen's charter, inclusion of lower bureaucacy and setting up of Lokayukta in state through Lokpal. It is assured that the discussions on the points stated above will be debated from tomorrow in the Parliament.

He said that the corrupt officers must be imprisoned and their properties must be attached. Anna Hazare has also insisted on including lower bureaucracy within the ambit of the Lokpal.

On continuing the deadlock between the government and Anna Hazare on Lokpal bill, Anna Hazare today wrote to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue.

Activist Manish Sisodia told Hazare's supporters that Anna Hazare is waiting for Prime Ministers reply and once he gets any feed back, he will inform the same.

However, the contents of the letter send to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were not disclosed by Sisodia.

The letter was sent through senior Maharashtrian leader and Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who had met the Gandhian who was on the tenth day of his fast.

Sources revealed that Hazare had sought written assurances from the government with respect to some issues in the Lokpal Bill.

Consequently, after Singh's speech, the Lok Sabha today unanimously decided to ask Hazare to end his fast as his health was deterioting and his life was considered too precious.

The Prime Minister had on Aungust 23 approached him with a proposal to end his fast and promising that his Jan Lokpal Bill could be considered by Parliament along with the government draft.

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PM appeals to Anna to end his fast; Pranab to lead talks with activists

With the end of eighth day of fast of Anna Hazare, the government finally took some real and effective steps to end the deadlock with the anti-corruption crusader and his associates.

As his ministers began discussions with Team Anna Hazare, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sent a letter to the social activist Anna Hazare at the Ramlila Maidan, urging him to end his hunger strike. In his letter, Dr. Manmohan Singh was quoted saying We are concerned about your health. He also added that the Parliamentary Committee will ask the Lok Sabha Speaker for permission to study Anna Hazare's version of the anti-corruption Lokpal Bill.

The activist lead by Anna Hazare stated that this committee was so far scrutinising the government's version of the bill and the draft that is being provided for the time being is not strong enough and provides too many outs to public servants accused of corruption.

Before the Prime Ministers letter, the government had suggested that some features of Anna Hazare's bill could be added as amendments to the government's bill. The PM suggested that Anna Hazare's bill in its entirety may be discussed by the  Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Personnel which combines 31 MP's from different parties.

Team Anna has so far stood on the ground that they are in need for a bill which will be debated in the Parliament. One of the close aide of Anna Hazare, Prashant Bhushan, has dismissed the Standing Committee's deliberations as  a delaying tactic because the panel's recommendations are not binding.

The government's new reaction towards Team Anna comes soon after it has watched thousands of peoples embrace Anna Hazare's war-cry against corruption. Anna Hazare's frail condition is another issue which is coming uo now. Doctors said that he is weak but not critically ill and doctors added that he has lost 5.5 kgs.

The Prime Minister lead talks with Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi about Anna crisis; and the government's senior-most minister, Pranab Mukherjee has been deputed to lead the talks with Anna Hazare's aides.

Khurshid said that the official negotiations were launched at a meeting between Law Minister Salman Khurshid and Anna Hazare's close aide Kejriwal and added that the time is running out. Law Minister said that they need to find a solution as soon as possible and such solution can be reached only after conducting talks.

The Lokpal Bill provides for an independent agency that will examine charges of corruption against public servants.

Team Anna Hazare said that the government has deliberately drafted a weak Bill that will not effectively combat systematic venality. The activist drafted its own version of the bill. Two weeks ago, the government ignored Anna Hazare's bill and introduced its own in Parliament. The activist thereby declared war and delivered on their threat that Anna Hazare would start a fast and appeal to Indians to join his demonstration against corruption.

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Lokpal Bill: Anna Hazare says he will speak to Rahul, PMO or Chavan

On the seventh day of the fast, Anna Hazare said on Monday that he would negotiate with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) or Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to break the logjam with the Union Government to the Lokpal Bill.

One of the news channel quoted him as saying  that he would not negotiate with any other mediator, including Home Minister P Chidambaram or Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal.

According to the channel, the 74 year-old activist added in an interview that negotiations could not take place with the non-government mediators.

Hazare said that Lokpal Bill negotiations cannot happen with non-government mediators  and added that he can talk with the Prime Ministers Office or Rahul. He also addethat he was ready to talk with Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.

Hazare's close aide Kiran Bedi said the activist wanted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to send his representative to hold talks on a stringent legislation that will set up an independent and powerful anti-graft watchdog.

Bedi tweeted on the site Twitter as Anna is saying let the government come forward to discuss the Jan Lokpal Bill. Let the PM send his representatives. Any negotiations are just rumours.

The Prime Minister in Kolkata earlier this day said the government was ready for debate on the Lokpal Bill.

Hazare, 74, has been on fast since August 16 demanding a stronger Lokpal Bill in Parliament.

The anti-corruption campaigner also told the Marathi news channel that no official mediator has approached the him till now. He also said he would not approach  anyone without the presence of his advisers.

Hazare reiterated his demand that the Lokpal Bill introduced by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in Parliament should be withdrawn immediately as it is weak and cannot fight the corruption menace.

He also hinted at some flexibility on the issue of excluding judiciary under the ombudsman, and said this demand could be discussed during the proposed talks.

He, however, added that a proposed Judicial Accountability Bill must be strengthened if judiciary has to be kept out of the Lokpal's jurisdiction.

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Government trying to stop Lokpal Bill from becoming a reality: Team Anna

Anna Hazare's fast demanding a strong Lokpal Bill entered the fifth day on Saturday saying that the government has been trying to delay the Lokpal Bill for decades. It send a clear message to the government stating  that the protest will not end  till a strong Lokpal Bill is passed.

Anna Hazare on Friday at the historic Ramlila Maidan launched his protest fast, Team Anna took on the government for delaying the Lokpal Bill and accused the government from making the law a reality.

Team Anna also dismissed reports that the movement has got any kind of backing from  any political parties and has links with political parties such as RSS,BJP. Team Anna said that their protest is not against any political parties but is against corruption.

Anna Hazare's aociates namely Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan and Kiran Bedi spoke certain tough words like they cannot trust this government, but at the same time maintained that the government should come forward and start discussions. They also added that the government should stop wasting time in making false allegations.

Prashant Bhushan also took the pain to question how long will the nation wait  for th strong Lokpal Bill.

Accusing the government of using divisionary tactics, Team Anna said that it is not holding the government to ransom and added that everyone has the right to protest in this country.

There were no signs as to which side would take the initiative to break the deadlock, but it was obvious that the move would have to come soon since Anna Hazare would enter the sixth day of his fast on Sunday.

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Anna mocks charges of RSS, BJP support

Social Activist Anna Hazare is on a strike to press for a more inclusive Lokpal Bill and has taken strong objections to the suggestions  that his campaigner against corruption is backed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP). Hazare told the reporters that those who suggest that RSS and BJP are backing this protest should be sent to a mental hospital.

He added that the US had already charged his movement with US backing. In support of this, he made the statement that tomorrow they will say that Pakistan is backing the protest.

To a query, Anna's associate Arvind Kejriwal said the government was  using the parliamentary standing committee as a shield and if they want to bring a strong Lokpal Bill, they should not resort to the argument that it is being examined by the committee.

Naresh Trehan, the doctor examining Hazare's health said Anna's basic  parameters are okay.

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Anna Hazare Loss 3 kg weight but still stern against corruption

Delhi-  Anna Hazare, the most successful social activist of modern India loss 3 kg from his body weight. 74 years aged Anna Hazare spend 3 days in Thihar Jail. His body weight and health condition were checked by the Thihar jail authorities before he left jail on Friday. Anna Hazare was in fasting strike in the jail also. 36 doctors from Medanda Medi City, Gurgaon, Haryana were appointed in jail for analyzing and checking Anna's health condition. There is a fully equipped medical camp in Ramlila Maidan under the leadership of famous cardiologist Dr. Naresh Thrihan, Medanda Medicity, Gurgaon, Haryana. On Friday the doctor’s team has reported that his blood pressure level and health conditions are in normal condition.

After reaching Ramlila Maidan Anna started his hunger strike. He addressed the people assemble and said that he is not doing his strike simply for the Jan Lokpal Bill but it is for entire development of India. He also said that he will continue his strike still he get the goal continue with his hunger strike till the Lokpal bill is passed. Anna Hazare said that followers are his strength and he has started second freedom fight on August 16 2011. After released from Thihar Jail at 11 30 am Hazare prayed before the Tomb stone of Mahathma Gandhi and Raj Ghat and he moved towards Ramlila Maidan with his group of people. Hundreds of public people and social activists assembled outside the Thihar Jain and they received Anna Hazare with a big hand when he addresses them.

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Govt must withdraw its Lokpal Bill draft :Team Anna

In an interaction with the media at the Ramlila Maidan from where Anna Hazare on Friday launched his protest fast, Anna Hazare and his team said that the government must withdraw the draft of Lokpal Bill and table the Jan Lokpal version of the bill in the Parliament.  Hiting back at the government, Aravind Kejriwal, one of the team member of Anna Hazare said that the government can and is free to throw them in jail at any time they want. He added that they are using the parliamentary standing committee as a shield and demanded the introduction of new Jan Lokpal Bill.

Kejriwal also alleged that the government was betraying the people in the name of Judicial Accountability Bill to keep higher judiciary out of Lokpal. Team Anna said that the government should understand the strength of the anti-corruption movement. Civil society member Prashant Bhushan slammed the government's action as arrogant and whimsical.

Anna Hazare appealed to the people to not to take or give bribes and demanded strict law to deal with corrupt people. Team Anna said that they made an effort to reach out to the people and even people from far flung villages are lending their support to the movement.

Anna Hazare in his address at the Ramlila Maidan on Friday gave indications that his fast will be a prolonged one when he declared that he will not quit the venue till the Jan Lokpal Bill is brought.

He came out of the jail this morning after reaching an agreement with government for holding his hunger strike for 15 days.

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Anna Hazare fever spreads to Hong Kong, Singapore, expat Indians joint protest

The Anna Hazare fever has spread to Hong Kong and Singapore with expatriateIndians holding  relay fasts, meetings and demonstrations. More demonstrations and plans to raise the funds for the programme in the  home country is being planned for the next weekend. Volunteers posted at the entry gates of subway stations in Hong Kong are distributing a two-paper leaflets explaining the necessity of Indians living abroad to express their support for the anti-corruption movement and comparing the official and Anna Hazare's  versions of the Lokpal Bill.

Another meeting is scheduled for coming Sunday when Pandey, a Hong Kong based IT expert who played a key role in organizing a meeting which was attended by 80 local Indians last Sunday and his friends expect a larger turnout. Plans include launching of funds so as to send as donations for Jan Lokpal movement in India. They also planto collect signatures of the attendees on a memorandum to be submitted to the Indian consulate in Hong Kong.

He added that they are also approaching the United Nations saying that the main principles in the UN convention against corruption have not been implemented in India.

A group of Indians based in Singapore have approached the local police for permission to hold a meeting at the speaker's corner, a place designated by the government for the purpose of holding protests. They are also implementing a signature drive in order to submit a memorandum to the Indian High Commissioner demanding implementation of the Jan Lokpal Bill.

Singapore is holding a presidential election on Saturday. Sharma expects the police to give him permission to hold the meeting on another day. He said that there is a huge amount of interest from Indian citizens involved in a wide range of professions in Singapore. He expects at least 700 people to turn up at the forthcoming meeting.

Indians in Hong Kong were early starters submitted a memorandum to the local Indian Counsel-General on April 9 and holding a bicycle rally with volunteers wearing t-shirt carrying the logo India Against Corruption on April 16.

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U.S. behind Anna’s agitation: Senator McCain

Amid allegations by a Congress spokesman that US was behind Anna Hazare's agitation, US Senator John McCain today said America neither gets involved in such agitation nor has any intention of doing so. He also described Indian democracy as strong and successful which will be able to address the current domestic disputes and conflicts, saying the current protests were expression of a democratic system, which may not be one of the most pleasant experiences. The US does not involve itself in what is taking place in the world's largest democracy and neither has it had intention.

McCain told a press conference when asked about speculation that he cancelled his political appointments following the comments by Congress spokesman Rashid Alvi suggesting the US was behind Anna Hazare's agitation.

Referring to a remark by US state Department spokesperson urging India to allow peaceful protest, Alvi had on Wednesday alleged that it is for the first time that the US has said something like this and put pressure on the Government to allow Ana to rum his movement. This has never happened earlier. And according to him this is a big question on which we have to think and discuss seriously.

McCain said people can have their views but there was only one set of facts.

 News By, SM for News Vision, the online newspaper

Police allow Anna 7days protest at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan

The Delhi police have given seven days to protest at Ramlila Maidan. According to the police reports, the police is also to extend the time period to more than seven days on a later period. Earlier on Wednesday, famous lawyer Prashant Bhushan, a member of Anna Hazare's anti-corruption campaign team told the government that Anna Hazare will come out of jail only if allowed to fast without any conditions.

Anna Hazare and his team were in discussions with the government and police over the venue of his fast after he comes out of Tihar jail. According to the latest media reports, government may allow the Ramlila Maidan as venue for Anna's protest after he comes ou of jail. After having a discussion with the Anna Hazare team, lawyer Prashant Bhushan told the crowd of supporters outside the jail that Gandhian would come out only if he is allowed to fast without any conditions.

Bhushan said government and the police were discussing  with Hazare and his aides options of fast venue- JP Park or Ramlila Maidan, where he was planing to launch a fight against corruption. He said if conditions are imposed, then Anna Hazare will continue with his fast inside the jail.  He also told the crowd that peope of Delhi have been asked to come to India Gate for a march to Jantar Mantar in support of a strong Lokpal and fight against corruption.

Anna Hazare had earlier sought permission from the Tihar jail authorities for a meeting with some of his top associates to plan his strategy.

The meeting was attented by Bhushan, Kiran Bedi, Medha Patkar, Manish Sisodia and Swami Agnivesh. The Deputy Commissioner of Police was also present for the meeting.

Anna Hazare also met Sri Sri Ravishankar and yoga guru Baba Ramdev.

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TDP chief hits out at UPA Government over Hazare’s arrest

Telugu Desam President N Chandrababu Naidu led a protest of his party workers here and sought the immediate release of Anna Hazare and his followers, lashing out at the Centre for the arrest of the Gandhian and preventing him from undertaking an indefinite fast over the Lokpal issue. The country needs a strong law to punish the corrupt and confiscate their ill-gotten wealth. Also the corrupt people should be barred from contesting elections, the fromer Chief Minister demanded as he sat on a 'Dharna' at the Ambedkar statue on Tank Bund this evening. Earlier, Naidu, Legislators and senior leaders of the party took out a rally from Khairatabad to Tank Bund to protest the arrest of Hazare and others. The former Chief Minister strongly condemned lodging the Gandhian in Delhi's Tihar jail where several leaders have been kept as undertrials on corruption charges.

In an earlier statement the leader of opposition stated that, the arrest of the septuagenarian, who was set to launch a hunger strike in Delhi demanding a strong Lokpal Bill was totally Undemocratic and Unconstitutional.

Naidu upholds, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should apologize to the nation for having sent Hazare and other social activists, who are fighting against corruption, to Tihar jail. The arrest of Hazare and team is the height of despotic rule of the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre that is suppressing all civil rights.

  News Reported By, SM