'Kejriwal, Bedi don't care about Anna Hazare'

Mumbai: The pressure on Anna Hazare is growing to call off his protest fast but Editor-in-Chief of IBN Lokmat Nikhil Wagle, who met the anti-corruption activist in Mumbai, on Wednesday says people like Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Manish Sisodia are putting pressure on Anna to continue with his fast.

He says these people don't know him well and want him to continue with his fast despite his deteriorating health.

Wagle said, "He is able to speak, but he is very weak. His health is deteriorating and he has been coughing. So it is a dangerous situation. I spoke to his doctors also. The doctors have advised him to break the fast but he says he will think about it. But the pressure is growing on Anna Hazare to end his fast."

"His workers from Ralegan Siddhi, some of the workers of India Against Corruption (IAC) also told me that they don't want Anna to continue this fast. Already they have won the battle and they want him to continue to lead the battle in future also," he added.

So all around this place, in MMRDA Grounds, workers are saying that Anna should end the fast and there is a growing pressure on Anna Hazare to end his fast.

A group of IAC workers have been putting pressure on him to continue the fast but the common worker is telling him to end the fast.

There are two groups, the common workers are on one side and the top leadership of IAC like Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia on the other side. People from Delhi like Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Manish Sisodia don't know him and want him to continue the fast. But Anna's doctors say if he continues the fast, it will be a danger to his health.

The picture is different behind the scenes. Workers from Ralegan Siddhi, the village of Anna Hazare, are here. Hundreds of workes from Ralegan Siddhi will come here today and they will appeal Anna Hazare to end the fast and I think by evening, Anna will take a decision, whether he will end the fast today evening or tomorrow morning. But the pressure is definately growing," he replied when asked is the picture could be different behind the scenes as in public both Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwal have appealed to Anna to call off his fast.

Wagle pointed out that the group which is leading IAC should come out and tell people why they are putting pressure on Anna Hazare to continue the fast. The workers are saying that have won the battle of Lokpal. Yes, the Lokpal Bill which is presented in Parliament, and which is passed in Parliament, is not the bill we want. But a battle is not won in full. It is won 60-70 per cent. So it is our victory. Even Anna is saying it is our victory.

"I spoke to close aides of Anna Hazare they want him to discontinue the fast. And the pressure is growing, " Wagle added.

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