Demand affidavit from parties on lokayukta: Anna to voters

As Uttarakhand goes to polls on Monday, Anna Hazare today commended the state government for making a "strong" lokayukta law and asked voters in other poll-bound states to demand an affidavit from parties that they will pass a similar legislation.

As Uttarakhand goes to polls on Monday, Anna Hazare on Thursday commended the state government for making a "strong" lokayukta law and asked voters in other poll-bound states to demand an affidavit from parties that they will pass a similar legislation.

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In an eight-minute video appeal to voters, Hazare said he was happy that Uttarakhand chief minister BC Khanduri had brought a "very strong" lokayukta law in his state but attacked the UPA government saying it does not have the "intention" to bring a strong anti-corruption legislation.

Incidentally, BJP leader Khanduri is the only politician named by the 74-year-old activist in his eight-minute address in which he said he could not travel to the poll-bound states due to health concerns.

"A strong lokpal bill has to be enacted, it is very important. We were after the government for the past one year. It does not have the intention. It does not have the intention to have a corruption-free India.

"For the first time, a strong law has been passed in Uttarakhand. What is a strong law, you will see in that? My appeal to you all is that you vote for anyone you want but ask them whether they are ready to pass a strong lokayukta bill on the lines of the strong legislation in Uttarakhand," he said.

Hazare said electorate should ask the candidates to sign an affidavit saying that once voted to power, they will bring a strong law.

"I am very happy that the chief minister (Khanduri) has brought a strong law," he said.