As his fast entered sixth day on Monday, social worker Anna Hazare charged that the BJP had “forgotten” him and his Lokpal agitation after “using” him in 2013 to come to power at the Centre in 2014.
Talking to media persons in his native village of Ralegan-Siddhi in Ahmednagar district of western Maharashtra, Hazare also contended that the BJP-led Maharashtra Government was making “false” claims about having a majority of his demands and that he had no trust left in the Devendra Fadnavis dispensation in the State.
“The State Government has not accepted any of my demands. If I have accepted 90 percent of my demands, why would I be continuing my fast. I have no trust left in this Government. I had received a message from the official channels that a Union Minister and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis would come and meet me today. But, I had sent a message back asking them not to come and said that if said they came there would be unnecessary confusion in the minds of people,” Hazare said.
“I had asked the Government to take concrete decisions and inform me in writing. Only after I get written assurance, I will consider what I should do next. As of today, I have no trust left in this Government,” the social activist said.
Eight one-year-old Hazare began his indefinite fast on January 30 to demand among other things the immediate appointment of Lok Pal at the Centre and Loksyutkas in various states. His other demands are: the implementation of of the Swaminathan Commission’s report on farmers”, one-and-half times of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agriculture produce, total loan waiver for farmers and monthly pension of at least Rs 5,000 to every farmer in the country.
Earlier on Monday, MNS chief Raj Thackeray called on Hazare and made enquires about his health. “I felt good that Raj Thackeray met and made enquiries about my health. But, I will not withdraw till my demands are met,” the Gandhian said.