Veteran social activist Anna Hazare has indicated that he is determined to launch an indefinite satyagraha from March 23 in Delhi despite overtures from the BJP.
Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan had met with Hazare earlier this week, but was unable to change the latter's mind. Hazare has said he wants a concrete proposal from the Narendra Modi government on his core demands, which includes a new, 'more stringent' Lokpal bill and hike in minimum support prices for agricultural products.
Hazare will begin his stir, touted as a fast unto death, at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi from Friday. He told media agencies that while political parties were welcome to participate, politicians wouldn’t be allowed on the dais. Hazare also claims to have assembled a new 'core' team, the members of which have reportedly given written commitments that they won't join a political party in the future.
Hazare's historic movement in 2011 had been criticised as core organisers such as Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi ventured into political careers soon afterwards.
Hazare had earlier expressed his disappointment at Modi ignoring several letters written by him.