Hazare warns politicians of backlash over corruption issue

If the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill is not passed at the earliest and these bodies are not given autonomy on the lines of Election Commission, politicians will face voters' ire in the next general election, he said here in Mumbai suburb.

"Lokpal lao nahito chalejao, Lokayukta lao nahito chelejao (bring Lokpal/Lokayukta or give up power)," the anti- corruption crusader said while addressing a press conference.

Hazare was here on the last leg of his more than one month tour of the state to demand a strong Lokayukta Act in Maharashtra.

The Gandhian said the purpose of his tour was to create awareness among the people that public money was being swindled by politicians and bureaucrats, and there was a need for a strong law to check this menace.

Citing several examples of the manner in which money was being misappropriated, Hazare said despite spending crores of rupees on water projects and dams, many parts of the country, including Maharashtra, are facing acute shortage of drinking water.

The septuagenarian activist said a major chunk of government's revenue was being spent on the salaries and other facilities of bureaucrats and elected representatives.

"Where is the lok shahi (democracy)?" he asked and said in the present scenario, people have no voice at all in decision-making process.

Hazare said after his Maharashtra tour is over, he, along with yoga guru Baba Ramdev and like-minded people, will travel across the country in the coming months to highlight the issues of corruption and black money. (More)