Lokpal: Team Anna to fast from July 25 at Delhi's Jantar Mantar

Jalgaon: With the Lokpal Bill once against stuck in the Rajya Sabha, Team Anna on Monday announced that it would to go on a fast again from July 25 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. While addressing a press conference in Jalgaon (Maharashtra) even as the Rajya Sabha was debating whether the Lokpal Bill should be sent to a Select Committee or not, Kejriwal said that Anna Hazare would not fast at Jantar Mantar.

"Only Team Anna members will fast," said Kejriwal while adding that the cases against those accused of corruption should be expedited. "Special fast track courts should be set up and special investigation should be carried against those who are corrupt, and if actions are not taken place in two months, then we will agitate and call for a fast on July 25," he said.

Hazare said that the no political party was serious about tackling corruption. "It's just an attempt to kill time. They do not want to get Lokpal. Nobody, neither the Opposition party BJP, nor the ruling party wants Lokpal. But I am sure people of the country will force them to get Lokpal," said Hazare.

Arving Kejriwal announced that the fast would be undertaken only by Anna Hazare\'s associates.

The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government tabled the amended Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Monday evening even as anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare once again criticised the political class of not being serious about the legislation. The Lokpal Bill, presented on the second last day of the Budget Session, was sent to a select committee after a heated debate between the government and opposition MPs.

While tabling the Bill, Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs, V Narayanasamy requested the "House to consider the Bill with consensus".

Soon after the Bill was tabled Naresh Agarwal of the Samajwadi Party stood up to move the motion that the Lokpal Bill be referred to a Select Committee leading to vociferous protests from the BJP MPs. "I move the motion that the Lokpal Bill be referred to a Select Committee. I propose that the report be given within three months," said Agarwal.

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