Social activist Anna Hazare said on Sunday night that civil society representatives would decide whether he should first undertake a nationwide tour against corruption before undertaking a fast if a strong Lokpal Bill was not ready.
“We will see tomorrow [on Monday] whether we should undertake the tour first,” he said on his arrival here to attend Monday's meeting between representatives of civil society and the government on the Lokpal Bill.
Mr. Hazare said he would have to first go through Congress president Sonia Gandhi's reply to his letter. In his letter, Mr. Hazare had accused the Congress of running a smear campaign before making any response.
“I haven't read the letter yet. We will read the letter and then react,” he said.
Mr. Hazare's comments on his proposed fast from August 16 came against the backdrop of the civil society representative and Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde saying it would be better for him if he went around the country and mobilised support against corruption.
A day later, Mr. Hegde said: “If Anna Hazare goes on a strike, I will fully support him.” Mr. Hazare denied that there was a rift between him and Mr. Hegde over his move to go on fast.
