'Don't take long to bring in strong lokpal bill'

As Anna Hazare is all set to launch his protest fast from Ramlila Maidan on Friday, he asked the government Thursday evening not to take too long to bring in a strong lokpal bill, saying he will not stop till the country gets a strong anti-corruption ombudsman.

As Anna Hazare is all set to launch his protest fast from Ramlila Maidan on Friday, he asked the government Thursday evening not to take too long to bring in a strong lokpal bill, saying he will not stop till the country gets a strong anti-corruption ombudsman.

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The 73-year-old anti-corruption crusader said the protests by "all my brothers and sisters, the elderly and the children" are giving him a "new energy" for his fast.

"The government should not take too much time now (to pass a strong lokpal bill). This is not a question of Anna Hazare. So many people have come out on the roads. Have they come out because of Anna Hazare? The people of this country are fed up with corruption.

"Their lives have become miserable because of corruption and price rise. Everywhere they have to pay bribes to get their works done. This is why they have come on roads as a last resort after exhausting all options...When the level of tolerance reduces, then people come out on the roads," he said in a video message from Tihar Jail.

He said there was nothing to worry about his health and he will not stop till the country get a strong lokpal.