Support pours in for Anna Hazare

The anti-corruption crusade of Anna Hazare has managed to draw support from all corners of the state and from people of all hues.

While former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda today said he supported the indefinite fast undertaken by social activist Anna Hazare for a stronger anti-corruption law. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should immediately convene a meeting of all political party leaders to debate the issue, he told reporters here.

Gowda, whose party has been waging a battle against the BJP government led by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa over its alleged corrupt acts, said he would undertake a campaign across the state after by-polls to three assembly constituencies ended.

Meanwhile, Anna Hazare also got a strong backing from the Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who described him as “the voice of millions of Indians”. “He is the voice of millions of Indians”, Sri Sri said in a statement, extending his full support to the movement against corruption spearheaded by Hazare. “I sincerely hope that the Prime Minister takes immediate steps to form the joint committee for the Lokpal Bill.

In Mysore, the Karnataka Rajya Rytha Sangha (KRRS) too expressed their support for Anna Hazare. The KRRS activists launched a dharna in Mandya, the sugar bowl of Karnataka. Announcing the support of KRRS for Hazare demanding the anti-corruption bill, KRRS president K S Puttannaiah said the ryots front would spread its campaign across the state from Mandya.

“A strong anti-corruption legislation is required, more so in Karnataka where corruption has reach new heights and natural resources are being plundered by legislators and politicians,” he said at a press conference.

“As many as 24,000 cases were pending before the state Lok Ayukta. Its investigations had not resulted in any punishments. While iron ore is illegally exploited and exported, sand mafia is destroying rivers. There is open corruption in the State,” they alleged.