M A I N   N E W S

Crowds swell as Anna joins fast
Ananya Panda/TNS

Supporters at the venue. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui

New Delhi, July 29
Once again the Anna-impact came resounding at the Jantar Mantar today with a sea of supporters standing up against the corrupt system and the government for which the 74-year-old anti-corruption crusader has began yet another fast-unto-death.

There were emotionally charged people, including old and young, who felt the opportunity that had come in the form of Anna-led struggle should not be missed and more and more people should participate in the campaign that was sure to usher in a new era of democracy.

Around 300 persons are believed to have joined the indefinite fast with Team Anna. Fifteen of them had to be taken to the hospital for medication and one of them, a student from the IIT-Delhi, is still admitted there.

The sight of the jam-packed ground, which, according to the police, has the capacity to accommodate around 5,000-6,000 persons, echoes the massive fan-following that the mass leader commands.

The common man has reposed an overwhelming faith in this social reformer, a former Army driver who has emerged as an unlikely "national hero" for the youth and the old alike. He is being hailed as the second "Gandhi" by many.

"I will fast until we get the Jan Lokpal and I know that people of my country won't let me die. I draw my strength and confidence from you. The government has betrayed us and now we are not going to take it anymore," said Hazare while addressing supporters who swooned at his call for a complete revolution.

An ardent supporter of Anna, Ashok Bakshi from Dwarka was accompanied by his two granddaughters whom he called young soldiers of Anna. "Someone has to take the lead and he has done it. It is only two years, so we should not lose patience and try to do our bit by supporting this old man and his team in the fight against corruption," he stressed.

Immersed in Anna fervour, crowds could be seen waving Tricolours and clapping and cheering for speeches of representatives who had come to reassert their support to the anti-graft Bill.

A large number of villagers had come in support of the mass movement from various parts of the country, including Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana and NCR, besides people from Delhi.

Virender Singh of Samchana tehsil in Rohtak has come to Delhi to support the indefinite fast led by Team Anna and his team members. He is accompanied by a group of around 260 persons from his village. The response to the Team Anna's campaign was tremendous today with scores of people seen headed for the fast venue even in the evening.

Anna also released "Swaraj", a book authored by Arvind Kejriwal. Hailing people's power as crucial in the running of a democracy, Anna reiterated the importance of "right to recall" in case the elected MPs and MLAs failed to perform their duties.

"The book should be read by all as it shows the way towards having a corruption-free country," he added.