Arvind Kejriwal asks Anna Hazare not to fast; protest at 7 RCR

New Delhi: Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal has requested Anna Hazare not to go on fast from Sunday. Kejriwal's plea comes on the day 4 of the agitation, just minutes after there was an incident of stone pelting by Anna's supporters reported from outside Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's residence - 7, Racecourse Road on Saturday evening.

Reportedly, after throwing rocks and pamphlets into the compound, Anna's supporters staged a sit-in outside the gates.

The activists gathered outside the residence of the Prime Minister at around 6 pm shouting slogans against the UPA government.

Protesters were seen trying to climb the gates of the well-secured residence while police tried to prevent them from doing so. They also threw black chalks inside the premises.

Anna supporters also wrote slogans against the Prime Minister on the roads as well as the wall of the residence.

A poor crowd on a weekend at Team Anna's indefinite fast on Saturday had not deterred Anna from threatening a fast-unto-death from Sunday on Lokpal issue and talk about a political alternative in the 2014 elections.

In an exclusive interview with IBN 18 Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai on Friday, the activist had said that he would consider joining politics if the people wanted him to. "If people say that Anna should enter politics, then I could think about it," he said. He, however, was quick to add that he would not fight elections but support a political party that would be launched by someone willing to fight against corruption.

"I will not go into politics but I will give a political alternative to the people. I will not fight in elections. But if anyone fighting against corruption launches a political party, I will support it. I think the people are ready for an honest candidate," he said.

In Delhi for his agitation for a Special Investigation Team to probe 15 ministers of the UPA government whom he alleges to be corrupt, Anna's recent protests have seen minimal crowd attendance.

The activist admitted in the interview that he too had begun to feel that the enthusiasm amongst the people for fight against corruption was beginning to wane.

Anna also took on the Congress and the BJP saying the country's future does not lie safe in their hands but said he himself will not fight the elections though he would campaign for those with clean background selected by people.

He also accused the government of cheating them repeatedly on the issue of Lokpal and that he is forced to fast again and again, which is "not a happy thing". "I will fast until we get Jan Lokpal," Hazare, whose four-day ultimatum to government on a decision on his demands ends on Saturday, told a crowd of around 1,000 this afternoon.

Talking about a political alternative for next Lok Sabha elections, the 74-year-old activist said if "good people" do not enter Parliament, there will be no change in system and country will not get a strong Lokpal. "For a vote, Rs 15,000, Rs 20,000, Rs 30,000 are given (to voters). Those who get elected are making money and they don't know where to keep this money. So they send it to foreign countries. Now its time to awaken the voters.

"Some are saying that we should give alternative, we should form a party. Rs 15-20 crore is spend by a candidate for Assembly elections and Rs 50 crore for Lok Sabha polls. I will not fight elections. I will not put up a party," he said.

However, Anna said, he will tour the country urging people to select people to fight elections. He said the team will probe their background and then put their names of Internet seeking people's opinion about them.

"From them, we will put up some people for election. I will go for their campaigning and tell them that this is a good candidate and we need good people in Parliament... the country's future is not safe with the Congress and the BJP," Anna said.

On the thinner crowd at the protest venue, he said those talking about it do not have the vision to see the crowd. "The colour of your spectacle determines the colour you see," the Gandhian said and claimed that the movement is now on in 400 districts.

Anna also said most of the big grounds remain unfilled even during election rallies of big parties. "By getting crowds alone, you won't get the work done. You have to work hard for it," he said.

The dwindling crowds were a concern for the organisers as Anna's earlier protests had witnessed participation in large numbers.

The crowd count rose to around 3,500-4,000 on Friday but it was attributed to the supporters of yoga guru Ramdev, who addressed the protesters at Jantar Mantar.

With Additional Inputs from PTI

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)