Hazare’s team should give undertaking on his health: Cong

With Anna Hazare planning to continue his fast, Congress on Thursday sought a “guarantee” from his team that his health will be fine.

Party spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury said, “It will be better if somebody gives an undertaking on his (Hazare’s) health. They must take responsibility. They should take the guarantee. They should keep a watch over his health. Arvind Kejriwal can do it.”

Dismissing the contention that the government tied itself in knots over Mr. Hazare episode by first allowing his arrest and then facilitating his release, Ms. Chowdhury said, “Governance is never static.

“It is a dynamic system,” she said, adding that the decisions change as per situations and perceptions.

Ms. Chowdhury vehemently denied that there was any pressure on the government to release Mr. Hazare. She at the same wondered why Mr. Hazare decided to go on a fast when the government “has already accepted many of his demands over Lokpal bill”.

The Congress spokesperson also steered clear of questions on whether the decision to arrest Hazare was correct. She, however, reminded that it took place on August 16 a day after Independence Day during which there was a high alert and intense pressure on the police to maintain security.

Asked why the government is allowing Mr. Hazare to protest at Ramlila Ground from where it had earlier evicted yoga guru Ramdev, Ms. Chowdhury said the government was making arrangements and “god willing everything will be fine.”