Firm Anna holds fast; Lokpal debate in Parliament delayed

Amid hectic efforts to break the deadlock on Lokpal issue, Anna Hazare today shot off a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying he would break his fast if Parliament agrees to his three key demands but will continue his protest till the legislation is passed. Hazare's letter to

Singh also contains his Team's version of a resolution to be moved in Parliament which details his three demands -- all civil servants should be brought under Lokpal, a Citizen Charter should be displayed at all government offices and all states should have Lokayukta.

"My inner conscience tells me that if there is a consensus on these proposals, then I will break my fast. The other issues in the Jan Lokpal Bill like selection process and others are also very important to contain corruption.

"I will continue to sit in Ramlila Maidan along with my supporters till Parliament takes decision on the other issues because this is the voice of people," he said in his two-page letter.

Thanking Singh and Parliament for respecting the movement for a strong Lokpal Bill, the 74-year-old Gandhian said he has the highest regard for Parliament which is a "sacred temple of democracy".

He told the Prime Minister that he was not sitting on fast for any selfish interest. "I don't have any power. I am a very common man who wants do something for the society and poor people," he said.

Noting that it was difficult for him to tolerate when a common man struggles because of corruption, he said he was proposing three provisions -- his key demands -- to stop corruption affecting the common man.

"Is it possible to bring all these three proposals to Parliament? I am not only hopeful but confident that all Parliamentarians will agree to these three proposals to provide relief to the common man who is suffering from corruption," Hazare said.

He also appealed to all Parliamentarians to participate in this country-wide movement against corruption.

Asserting that his movement was not against any person or any party, Hazare said, "During the agitation, if my or my colleagues words have hurt you, or anybody else I express my regrets. We don't want to hurt anybody."

Noting that life of a common man has become very difficult due to corruption, he said, "World over, our country has been defamed because of corruption. I hope that in coming days, there will be a stop to it. For this, we will have to work together unitedly."

He said rules, regulations and laws are for the people and they were not above people. "We should not hesitate if we have to make new laws or change certain laws to contain corruption immediately," he said.