Anna ends fast: 'A major hurdle has been crossed', says Hegde

Bangalore/New Delhi, Aug 28 (ANI): Expressing his delight over veteran social activist Anna Hazare breaking his 12-day long fast for a strong and effective Lokpal Bill, former Karnataka Lokayukta Justice N. Santosh Hegde on Sunday said that a major hurdle has been crossed.

"Everything cannot be done in a one day; a major hurdle has been crossed. Yes, I am happy for the time being with what Anna has achieved and what the Parliament has given," Hegde told mediapersons in Bangalore.

After securing Parliament's nod on key elements of Jan Lokpal bill, Hazare broke his over 288 hour-long fast declaring that electoral reforms will be next on his agenda.

Hazare broke his fast at 10.20 a.m. by taking coconut water mixed with honey offered by two little girls.

The 74-year-old social activist was driven straight to Medanta Medicity run by India's top cardiologist Dr Naresh Trehan, who was attending to him along with his team during his entire period of fast. He will stay in the hospital for two to three days.

Hazare after breaking his fast thanked the people of the country and the media for extending their support to his campaign against corruption.

Addressing the gathering at Ramlila Maidan, Hazare said: "Thanks to all of you. This is your victory. This also the victory of media, thanks to media for awakening people across India. Thanks to the members of civil society. We have shown a new way to the world that anything can be achieved through 'ahimsa'."

"I'm thankful to the youth power for their massive support. This has established that 'Jan Sansad' is more powerful than 'Sansad'. Now, our belief is firm that we can build a corruption-free society. Whatever changes we want, would be done in accordance with the Constitution," he added.

Hazare further said that he has 'not broken the fast', but only suspended it for the time being.

"We have to think for our future generations. This movement is a ray of hope. Keep this torch alight till the required change is achieved," Hazare said.

"Hope that Parliament will not ignore the sense of the people. Many of you are wearing a cap, which says I am Anna. If you want to be Anna, then there should not be any difference in your words and action," he added.

The latest developments came after both the Houses of Parliament on Saturday agreed in principle with Hazare's three key demands.

Both Houses of Parliament adopted a resolution on the sense of house accepting key demands of Hazare on citizen charter, lower bureaucracy to be under the ambit of Lokpal and establishment of state lokayuktas and power of lokpal to penalise grievance redressal mechanism violators. (ANI)