Next battle for poll reforms: Anna Hazare
29 Aug 2011
Almost as soon as social activist Anna Hazare ended his 13-day fast on Sunday for a strong anti-corruption law, he declared that his next action would be focussed on electoral reforms to bring down corruption.
After breaking his fast with a glass of coconut water and a spoonful of honey offered by two young girls – one a Dalit and the other a Muslim – Hazare told the mammoth crowd at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan that he would be back for more struggles; adding that the fight for a 'jan lokpal' bill was far from over.
"I have only deferred my fast, not given it up. Only when these reforms are complete will I really end my fast. I will not rest until all the changes that I look to are achieved," he said to thunderous applause from thousands of his supporters waving the tricolour and shouting slogans.
Hazare broke his fast after Parliament adopted the 'sense of the house' resolution on the key demands made by his team – creation of a citizens' charter, inclusion of the lower bureaucracy and the prime minister under the bill, and giving the lokpal the power to select state lokayuktas.
Hazare said that next fight would be for right to recall and right to reject elected representatives. Although the right to reject all candidates is currently available under the Constitution, it is rarely used, as such votes are not counted.
"While right to recall would be for those elected, the right to reject will be a column in the ballot paper which would ensure the voter has a right to say that he does not like the listed candidates.
