CHENNAI: There can be no compromise on the December 27 date set for the next round of protests to push the government to pass the Lokpal Bill, activist Anna Hazare has said. Speaking at a public meeting in Chennai, Hazare urged the government to pass the anti-graft law without last minute U-turns, as it had done four times before. Anna also warned the government against ignoring the wishes of the people who had taken to the streets demanding a strong Lokpal Bill.Anna asked all those who wanted a strong Lokpal Bill to come out on the streets, carry the National Flag and raise slogans, to pressure the government. He also urged them to court arrest if India were to usher in 2012 without a Lokpal Act.“The government says it is doing all it can to get the Lokpal Bill passed in the winter session. If that is true, then they can extend the winter session or convene a special session. That would be a clear expression of seriousness. But there can be no change in the fact that if the Lok Pal Bill is not passed by December 27, I will start my indefinite fast,” he said.Anna also reserved words of partial comfort for the Prime Minister. “Manmohan Singh is a straight man. He is clean and not corrupt. But the problems come with his remote control. He is controlled by more than one remote. In fact, a number of Cabinet ministers fancy themselves as his remote,” said Anna.Anna’s comments came at the meeting at the historic Pachaiyappa’s College here. A crowd of 9,000 served to dispel allegations that Hazare did not pull any weight in the southern parts of the country. Team Anna member Kiran Bedi and former Karnataka Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde also spoke at the meeting.
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