Even as a nationwide debate rages over various parties' prime ministerial candidates, social activist Anna Hazare gave a thumbs down to both Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi.
"Neither Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi nor AICC vie-president Rahul Gandhi are suitable as prime ministerial candidates," said Hazare in the last leg of 'Jantantra Yatra' that concluded in Uttarakhand on Tuesday.
Hazare reached Roorkee before proceeding to Dehradun. During the 17-day journey, Hazare crisscrossed through Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.
"The prime minister of the country should be decided by the public and not by the political parties, since political parties have failed to deliver," Hazare said in Roorkee while talking about the qualities of a prime ministerial candidates.
Hazare, along with former army chief general (retd) VK Singh, had started the 'Jantantra Yatra' from Jalianwala Bagh in Punjab on March 31.
Singh said that the second leg of the Yatra will begin on May 5 from Uttarakhand. Later, Hazare and Singh also addressed a public meeting in Dehradun.
Earlier, interacting with reporters there, Anna said he stands for eliminating corruption from society but it is not going to happen 'instantly'.
"Our initial demand is passing of the Lokpal bill. Once it is passed, other issues like Right to Rejection etc will be raised prominently. Overall, we are working for uprooting corruption," he said.
{{/usCountry}}"Our initial demand is passing of the Lokpal bill. Once it is passed, other issues like Right to Rejection etc will be raised prominently. Overall, we are working for uprooting corruption," he said.
{{/usCountry}}When asked whether the 'Anna Movement' has lost its sheen after his teammates Arvind Kejriwal, Kumar Viswas left him, Hazare said, "I know you (journalists) are looking for some spice."
Singh said that Kejriwal and others were not a part of 'Jantantrik Morcha' launched on January 30 this year."
When asked about Baba Ramdev's intention to launch a political party on 'Ram Navami', Hazare replied he had no idea about it. "We will talk (to Ramdev). Nonetheless we all are for elimination of corruption," he said.
On the low turnout at rallies, Anna asserted that he was indeed receiving big crowds during his sojourn.
"Response in Punjab was overwhelming. Even at midnight, crowds kept waiting for us. It clearly shows that people see hope in our movement," he explained.
"Public democracy is a new work for many but real democracy can only come through public participation. People are sick of rising inflation, corruption and such ills, they see some hope in us and therefore join us," he said.