Activist Anna Hazare Wednesday announced he was forming a 'Jantantra Morcha', an apolitical outfit, to fight for people's rights.
Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Wednesday announced formation of an apolitical outfit 'Janatantra Morcha' to work for 'change of system' and warned the UPA government that it 'must fear' being ousted from power if it did not bring a strong Lokpal bill.u00a0
Announcing the formation of 'Janatantra Morcha' at the historic Gandhi Maidan during a rally - the first since he parted ways with his former aide Arvind Kejriwal, Hazare said it would not contest any polls but serve the people 'without any allurement of power or related benefits'.
He called upon the gathering to join the new outfit for 'Azadi ki dusri ladai' (second freedom struggle) and realise the dream of a political system that would cater to the aspirations of all.
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The UPA government, he said, was scared of losing power on the Lokpal Bill if it went by the draft given the civil society that seeks autonomy for CBI and CVC, besides other stern measures.
Anna Hazare has launched an apolitical party. File Pic
"The public sentiments should be taken into account in drafting legislations, but the government is not doing so out of fear .... " he said and cautioned that the government that it 'must fear' being ousted by the people it did not bring a strong Lokpal bill.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi had written a letter to Hazare recently and sent it to his Rale Sidhi village home assuring him that the Lokpal Bill, which he is campaigning for, would be passed in the coming budget session of Parliament which commences in the second half of next month.
He flayed the political class for their disconnect with the masses and their sentiments and said various legislations enacted by Parliament did not represent the public view.
"Parliament must make laws, but the same should represent public views." Hazare, however, said the Lokpal Bill was not a panacea to remove corruption from polity and society in totality, but by 50-60 per cent.
The new outfit would pressurise the government and the political class in general to reform the system, he said adding he would rope in six crore youths and campaign extensively beginning with four states in February this year to mobilize support for it.
Hazare circulated two mobile phone numbers to which interested people could SMS with a message 'Join Anna Org' or confirm their association through calls, e-mail or blogs.
The anti-corruption activist said he had given the call from here keeping in mind the fact that Bihar had been the 'karmabhumi' of Mahatma Gandhi and Jai Prakash Narayan.
The venue had also been deliberately chosen to arouse popular sentiments and ensure mass participation for his 'crusade' similar to that of the freedom movement and JP movement respectively on a day which is the 65th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. u00a0
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