Don't use my name, photo in polls: Hazare to parties

After threatening to campaign against Congress in five election-bound states if the UPA government fails to get the Jan Lokpal Bill passed in the Winter session of Parliament, Anna Hazare has asked political parties not to use his name or photo during elections.

"This directive was given during a two-day meeting of workers at Ralegan Siddhi," Hazare's aide Suresh Pathare said. The meeting of the functionaries of Bhrashtachar Virdodhi Jan Andolan concluded yesterday at Hazare's native village.

No party or candidate will be allowed to use Hazare's name or image or the name of his anti-corruption front during poll campaign. Hazare has directed his activists to file cases against political parties found using his name or photo during elections, Pathare said.

At the meeting, Hazare also said he would undertake another agitation if Maharashtra government does not take adequate steps for strengthening the Lokayukta.

Hazare had in September written a letter to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, demanding a stronger Lokayukta in the state.

At yesterday's meeting, it was resolved that Hazare would begin the stir if no concrete steps for a strong legislation giving more powers to the Lokayukta are taken by the end of the Winter session of the Legislature, beginning in Nagpur next month.