Anna vows to continue fight against graft on Republic Day

Ralegan Siddhi, Jan 26 (ANI): Veteran social activist Anna Hazare on the occasion of the 63rd Republic Day on Thursday vowed to continue his fight against corruption to ensure that a strong and effective Lokpal Bill is passed in Parliament.

Addressing the locals at his native village Ralegan Siddhi here, Hazare said that he would continue with the movement until his last breath.

"The movement for Jan Lokpal Bill is going on. This movement will continue until the lawmakers pass the Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament. We have decided that we will fight until the last breath," he said.

Hazare further stressed on the need of giving more power to the village council so that people could enjoy the fruits of democracy.

"If we want to bring true democracy then the power should be in the hands of people living in villages. Until we give power to the village council we won't enjoy the fruits of democracy. The village council is equivalent to Lok Sabha and state assembly," said Hazare.

"The village council is higher body than the Lok Sabha and state assembly. The village council gave birth to Lok Sabha and state assembly," he added.

Further making a scathing attack on the rampant corruption in the society, Hazare urged the people to introspect whether the citizens of the country were enjoying the benefits of democracy.

"62 years have passed by, everybody should introspect that are they enjoying the real meaning of democracy? Are the powers of governance in their hands? Today, we have to seriously think about this," he added.

Hazare, 74, has been at loggerheads with the ruling Congress Party over the Lokpal Bill. He had earlier threatened the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre that he would campaign in poll-bound states if a strong Jan Lokpal Bill was not passed in the Winter Session of Parliament.

Congress General Rahul Gandhi had on Wednesday expressed his party's commitment towards bringing in a strong and effective Lokpal Bill. (ANI)