Cong Steps Up Attack On Anna, Calls His Fast Undemocratic

Ahead of his indefinite fast on Lokpal issue, Anna Hazare on Sunday faced fresh attack with Congress saying he should first clarify "serious" findings against him of a Commission that probed graft charges while Government said his move was "undemocratic" and "unacceptable".

Hitting out at the Gandhian who has planned to go on an indefinite fast in Delhi from Tuesday, Government also said the right to protest does not mean right to protest at the place of your choice.

The Government rejected the contention by the anti-corruption crusader that it was crushing his Constitutional rights by not allowing his protest at a desired venue and said the demand itself was unconstitutional and the protest at this time was an "affront" to Parliament.

"The right to protest does not mean right to protest at your choice. There is no right to protest at place of your choice and convenience," Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said.

Addressing a news conference in Delhi, Sibal and Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni slammed Hazare for his letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday, saying the language used in the letter is not Gandhian from any point of view.

Claiming that the "moral core" of Hazare has been "ripped apart" by the Justice P B Sawant Commission, Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said, "The fast from August 16 has nothing to do with either the issue of corruption or the Lokpal bill."

The Commission had probed corruption charges leveled by Hazare in 2003 against four ministers in the then Maharashtra government.

"The fast from August 16 has nothing to do with either the issue of corruption or the Lokpal bill. If that was the case Hazare would have first clarified the grave charges.

What is his clarification about the serious findings...The nation wants to know," Tewari said, adding, "I think Hazare and his associates will need to answer conclusions of Sawant Commission."