Day 2 sees low turnout

The venue of chain hunger strike on the banks of Mutha witnessed a low turnout yesterday. And whatever little enthusiasm that remained in the pandal faded after Anna declared withdrawal of his fast at the MMRDA grounds in Mumbai. Soon after the announcement, the curious crowds disappeared and the protest venue wore a deserted look.u00a0

"We are trying to inform each and every online participant by sending SMS or emails that the jail bharo agitation has been postponed," said Deepak Bharadia, city chief coordinator, India Against Corruption. (IAC).u00a0

He said that the members of the Parliament were forced to discuss the Lokpal Bill till Tuesday midnight only because of the pressure mounted by Anna's supporters. "This is not our defeat but a victory," Bharadia added.u00a0Though the turnout of students were low because of the Christmas vacation, the working class had taken leave from office and was present in huge numbers, said the coordinator.u00a0

The city IAC unit had expected a total expenditure of Rs 3.5 lakh for six days at the Mutha river pandal and had paid a deposit of Rs 43,000.u00a0"The district collector had given permission for the venue, but now we shall try andu00a0

take the money back if it is refundable. We are positive that the government will support us this time," said Sandeep Khardekar, city coordinator, IAC.u00a0

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