Those with me will have to shun politics: Hazare

LUCKNOW : Social activist Anna Hazare on Monday said he had chosen March 23 to start his agitation on Jan Lokpal, electoral reforms and farmers’ issues as it was martyrs’ day. Freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Shivram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar were hanged by the British Raj on March 23, 1931.

“I have chosen March 23 as it happens to be martyrs’ day. A number of farmers have committed suicide in the last 12 years but those who promised to bring back black money in 30 days and deposit Rs 15 lakh in each account have failed in addressing the issues of farmers. Farmers need to get good returns for their yield and need their crops to be insured,” Hazare said at a rally at Sadarauna Kanshi Ram Slum Colony under Para police station here on Monday.

Slum dwellers and farmers from nearby areas attended the rally. Hazare called for committed volunteers, who will not leave his movement for politics, hinting at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. He said anyone who wanted to join him on March 23 in Delhi would have to give an undertaking on stamp paper that he will never join politics, but will always work for the society.

“That’s why no politician will be allowed on the dais or near the place of the satyagraha. I will not allow the politicians to use the forum,” he said.

HE SAID ANYONE WHO WANTED TO JOIN HIM ON MARCH 23 IN DELHI WOULD HAVE TO GIVE AN UNDERTAKING ON STAMP PAPER THAT HE WILL NEVER JOIN POLITICS