Hazare's hunger strike: Uddhav asks Maha govt to intervene

Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday appealed to the BJP-led Maharashtra government to intervene in Anna Hazare's hunger strike and asked it not to "play" with the social activist's life.

As Hazare's indefinite fast over demand for immediate appointment of anti-corruption watchdogs at the Centre and in Maharashtra entered the fifth day, Thackeray in a statement expressed concern over the 81-year-old activist's health condition.

He dubbed a purported letter from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) conveying good wishes to Hazare as "condemnable" and "laughable".

Supporters of Hazare had claimed that the Gandhian had received a "cold response" from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in response to a letter sent by the activist.

The Sena president said Hazare's fight was against corruption - a problem faced by the country.

He asked Hazare to take to the streets in this fight to create an awakening among people, instead of giving up his life by fasting.

"At present, people in the country have been given anaesthesia and the need is to bring them out of this situation," he said in remarks laced with sarcasm.

Hazare should don the role of freedom activist Jayaprakash Narayan to usher in a new revolution, he said.

Thackeray said activist G D Agrawal had sat on a huge protest in Haridwar district of Uttarakhand over his demand to clean Ganga and maintain free flow of the river.

"But, the government did not take note of the situation and let Prof Agrawal die. Anna should give up his fast and lead an agitation over his demands, and I assure Shiv Sena's support wherever possible."