“I will not be going on the tour of the five states, as the doctors have advised me against it,” he said. The development could cloud the anti-corruption movement, even as the core committee is meeting in New Delhi over the weekend to chalk out the future strategy.
Asked about the future of the movement, Mr Hazare said, “It is not a fight that will last just for a couple of months; it will go on for years. I have been fighting against corruption for twenty five years. The struggle will continue once I get better.” The anti graft crusader was fielding questions about the further course of action for the movement for the first time since the Parliament failed to pass the Lokpal Bill in the recently concluded winter session.
In response to a question on the next step of the movement, Mr Hazare said, “I will think about it after getting better. I am feeling all right now, but I am still feeling weak. The doctors have advised me to rest for a month.” The 74 year old activist was admitted to the hospital on December 31 and was treated for chest congestion and weakness. He left for his village Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district immediately after being discharged.
Mr Hazare had earlier promised that he would campaign against the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur if the party failed to bring in a strong Lokpal Bill. The states are facing Assembly polls from January 28 to March 3. After abruptly ending his scheduled three-day fast in two days in Mumbai last month, and canceling his plan to stage a dharna and jail-bharo andolan in front of Sonia Gandhi’s house, this is the third agitation for a strong Lokpal Bill that stands cancelled.
Asked if he would consider changing his team after charges of corruption were leveled against several members he refused to comment and said, “I was not in touch with the outside world for ten days.”
No more fasts for Anna: Doctor
Dr Parag Sancheti who has been treating Mr Hazare reiterated on Sunday that the activist should not undertake any more fasts. “He is 74 and his body is undergoing metabolic changes. If he fasts any more, there is a chance that the proteins in the body are depleted. This could cause irreversible damage to his health. So I have strictly advised him not to go on fasts anymore,” Dr Sancheti told The Hindu. Asked if the activist would heed to the advice, Dr Sancheti said, “Anna ji is adamant as we all know. We will have to see what he decides.”
Mr Hazare has been advised to concentrate on his health, and observe a strict intake of nutrition. He will be administered anti-biotics and Vitamin D, and will be under observation for the next one month, Dr Sancheti said.
