PM snubs Anna who vows to go on fast from Aug 16

New Delhi, Aug 13 (PTI) A fresh standoff Saturday
appeared to be brewing between Anna Hazare and government with
the Gandhian seeking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's
intervention over the strict conditions imposed for his
indefinite fast from August 16 but was sternly told by him to
approach the Delhi police.
In a late night response to Hazare who rejected Delhi
police conditions to limit his protest to three days and 5,000
people, Singh told the social activist that his grievances
needed to be "addressed by the statutory authorities who have
taken the decision".
"My office does not in any way get involved in the
decision-making process", the Prime Minister said.

Hazare accused the government of "deceit" by putting
conditions on his agitation and sought the intervention of the
Prime Minister asking him to "show courage" and protect his
fundamental rights.
Singh said "the terms and conditions on which you are
entitled to carry on with your protest are decided by the
statutory authorities concerned taking into account the
prevailing circumstances and other relevant factors".
The Prime Minister went on to add "we are all committed
to the Constitution of India and to uphold it in both letter
and spirit".
Addressing a press conference after Delhi Police sent a
letter carrying 22 conditions, Hazare made it clear that he
was ready for any eventuality in case government decides to
crackdown on his protest, saying he would not mind going jail
or beaten up by police.
"Fast will take place in Jai Prakash Narain Park. We will
continue with the protest beyond three days...the government
is scared that its corruption will be exposed," said a defiant
Hazare whose fast in April had forced the government to come
out with a Lokpal Bill with which he is not satisfied.

The government introduced Lokpal Bill(anti-corruption ombudsman bill) in
Lok Sabha(Lower House of Indian Parliament) which has been referred to
Standing Committee of Parliament and is expected to be taken up in the
winter session. The ambit of the proposed legislation excludes the Prime
Minister, the higher judiciary and the conduct of Members of Parliament(MPs)
inside Parliament but Hazare wants the Bill to cover them besides the entire
bureaucracy. Lawyer Shanti Bhushan said they agree with almost all the
conditions laid by Delhi Police for the protest but would not give an
undertaking that the protest will end by the third day and the number of
protesters will not go beyond 5,000. termning it "unconstitutional".