Govt agrees on voice vote on Anna’s demands

New Delhi: The government has agreed to adopt by a voice vote in parliament Anna Hazare’s demands on a Lokpal bill, sources said Saturday.

The debate in both houses of parliament on fasting Hazare’s demands will be followed by a resolution that will reflect a unanimous sense of the two houses, the sources said.

Earlier this afternoon, Expectations that Anna Hazare will end his fast Saturday suffered a blow after his aides accused the government of going back on its pledge to move a resolution on the Lokpal bill in parliament.

Emerging from talks with Law Minister Salman Khurshid, activists Arvind Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan said the government had refused to move a resolution over three key demands from Hazare.

'This will be a very unfortunate response to what Anna Hazare has written to the PM,' Bhushan told reporters, adding it was now for the 74-year-old Hazare to decide if he should call off his 12-day fast.

Young brigade packs bag for Delhi

LUDHIANA: The young brigade in the city that has been supporting Anna Hazare by carrying out candle marches and protests in the city has finally decided to go to Ramlila Maidan in Delhi and be a part of the live action.

"All of us have always given our best for supporting the Anna Hazare movement up till now. However, now we feel that just carrying out candle marches and protests in the city would not really help and thus 10 of us have decided to leave for Delhi and to add to the pressure on the government for implementation of the strong Jan Lokpal Bill,'' said, Harjot Singh Bains, a resident of Barewal road who is a student of BA LLB third year in the Panjab University regional centre.

Arshdeep Singh Baweja, a B Tech third year student of Regional Institute of Management and Technology, and a resident of Dugri, said, "We have given our best in the last 15 days and now after this hard work its time for another fight and that too in heart of the battle field at Delhi.

Amandeep Riat, a graphic designer from Shimlapuri has decided to take leave, and go along with the group for supporting Anna Hazare. "We are all in favour of Anna and are united in this cause. I can't leave my friends and all of us can't leave Anna, who is fighting for us, who are going to be the worst sufferers of corruption in times to come. If this monster is not killed, it will grow all the more big and invincible in the coming time,'' he added.

Sachin Sharma another student of BA LLB third year of the Panjab University regional centre and a resident of Civil Lines is also busy packing his bags. He said, "We are a group of more than 10 people and all are highly motivated. A little sacrifice for the country is what all of us should do when Anna is staking his life for the country.''

"We all feel the time has come when we should move to real battle field - Ramlila Ground. We will be leaving for Delhi on Saturday.''

Team Anna humiliated us: Lalu

Zeenews Bureau

New Delhi: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad Yadav on Saturday said Anna Hazare took advantage of his arrest.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha during discussion on a suo motu statement by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Hazare's demands related to the anti-graft Lokpal Bill, the RJD leader said he respected Annaji, but Team Anna has continued to humiliate us (leaders).


Angry with Kiran Bedi for her theatrics on stage at Ramlila Maidan on Friday, Lalu said Anna Hazare was being misled by the people surrounding him, including former top cop Kiran Bedi who was eyeing polls.

Bedi, to the great amusement of the crowd, had on Friday pulled a scarf from the neck of a young activist on stage, wrapped her head with it like a 'ghunghat' (veil) and mocked MPs and their "double-faced utterances".

"Anna is being misled by the people around him. Kiran Bediji, if you want to contest the elections, go," the former Bihar chief minister said in his inimitable style and invited bouts of laughter frequently during his speech.

Looking towards the treasury benches, he said she (Bedi) was "fit candidate" against Kapil Sibal who represents Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency.

Lalu Prasad also took a dig at Hazare's aide Arvind Kejriwal for trying to dictate the draft legislation on Parliament. "Kejriwal is teaching us. Tell him standing committee is a mini-Parliament."

Former Bihar CM also appealed to MPs not to allow subversion of Parliament as it will ring the death knell of democracy in the country.

"We won't allow the supremacy of Parliament to be moved by an inch," he said.

Pointing out that the MPs and the entire nation had great respect for Hazare, Lalu Prasad wished him a long and healthy life.

In a lighter vein, he asked MPs to learn "from Anna how to go without food for 12 days at the age of 74".

He then claimed that he would run three kilometres. "Doctors should research and write a book to reveal the secret behind Annaji's stamina for standing such a long hunger strike."

Looking towards the media gallery, he also asked journalists to "save democracy, save the nation".

Aamir Khan sings in Anna's support at Ramlila

New Delhi: Ramlila Maidan got its fair share of Bollywood dose finally on the twelfth day of Anna Hazare's protest fast. Actor Aamir Khan arrived at Ramlila Maidan with '3 Idiots' filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani. Khan looked dapper in a white shirt and was welcomed on stage with a thundering applause.

Khan said, "I am here to meet Annaji and give him a hug for the initiative he has taken."
Bollywood till now has only given a passive support to the Jan Lokpal issue. From tweets to participating in pro-Anna rallies in Mumbai, the Anna movement was yet to rub shoulders with the 'heroes'.
Khan said I support Anna with all my heart. "The Bill won't be passed in a day or two. it requires a lot of discussion and debate in Parliament," pointed Aamir.
Khan also appealed to Congress MP Priya Dutt to support the Jan Lokpal Bil.
Thousands of protestors were in for a treat as Aamir gave a heartfelt speech and even humoured the spectators with his singing. Khan sang the song 'Mitwa' from his own Oscar-nominated film 'Lagaan'.
Director Rajkumar Hirani also spoke at the stage and asserted the need for Anna Hazare, 74, to remain healthy.