New Delhi, Dec 10: On the eve of day-long fast to protest against the Parliamentary Standing Committee report on Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare today said Government has “cheated” the entire country and that he will carry on his campaign till next Lok Sabha elections to create awareness against UPA.
 The social activist said he suspected that Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi was behind Standing Committee rejecting even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s promise to include the Citizen’s charter, lower bureaucracy and establishment of Lok Ayuktas in the states.
 “They have cheated the whole country. The Prime Minister had given in writing that these three issues would be brought under the Lokpal Bill...The Prime Minister’s letter was thrown into the dustbin. Why this volte face? Is Singhvi’s post higher than that of the Prime Minister,” Hazare told reporters here.
 “There is somebody behind... Who is bigger than the Prime Minister?... We suspect Rahul Gandhi could be behind this... Who else can dare to challenge the Prime Minister? That is why there are these problems,” Hazare said, alleging that their intentions are “not good”.
 He was referring to Standing Committee headed by Abhishek Singhvi which has disfavoured inclusion of Group C and D employees and kept out Citizen’s charter and Lokayukta.
 Hazare, who will hold a day-log fast at Jantar Mantar on Sunday, said he will resume his anti-corruption agitation from December 27 and then carry on this for next two years till the Lok Sabha elections.
 “We will continue to fight for the next two years. We will move around the whole country before the general elections to create public awareness,” he said and asked “Why to retain those who have destroyed the country?”
 Continuing his attack on Rahul, the 74-year-old Hazare said, “He is young. He could become the Prime Minister. But if he becomes Prime Minister with these kinds of thoughts, then it will be dangerous for the country.”
 At one point during his press conference, he also had comment on Sonia Gandhi’s illness in reply to a question.
 “She is ill. If we say something, her illness will increase,” he said while describing her as “leader of the country.”
 Asked why he was only targeting Congress, he said as the main party in the ruling coalition it was Congress’ responsibility to bring a strong and effective Lokpal.
 During tomorrow’s agitation leaders from several non-UPA parties including BJP’s Arun Jaitley, JD (U) Sharad Yadav, CPI’s A B  Bardhan, CPM’s Brinda Karat, SP’s Ram Gopal Yadav and TDP’s Chandrababu Naidu will be present.
 Expressing his anger over Government’s handling of the Lokpal issue since his first agitation in April, Hazare questioned whether the country had democracy or dictatorship.
 “Are you running the government for people or yourself? People will teach you a lesson,” he said addressing the government.
 He noted that the Prime Minister had given him in writing in August that his demands would be sent to Standing Committee but its chairman said there was no such letter. “Is it a government or a shop of a trader,” he said.
 Hazare said he has faith in Parliament as there are good MPs who have promised support for a strong Lokpal bill.
 “We have faith on MPs but why did Standing Committee do this. We have faith in Parliament. There are good people who said they would support,” he said.
 Demanding inclusion of group C and D employees under the ambit of the proposed Lokpal, Hazare said if it was not done, the poor people will not get justice.
 Describing the Standing committee as a “mini Parliament”, he said it should not have “cheated people”.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 10 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST