Anna fast enters 5th day; awaits govt call for dialogue

New Delhi, Aug 20 (PTI) Anna Hazare's fast demanding a
strong Lokpal entered the fifth day on Saturday with his Team
saying they were ready to talk to the government but no such
communication channels have been opened.
Hazare came to the podium at around 10 am as supporters
started pouring in Ramlila Maidan where he launched his
protest on Friday after coming out of Tihar Jail.
The 73-year-old anti-corruption crusader alleged the
funds in government treasuries were being threatened not by
thieves but from those guard it and the country is being
threatened by these traitors.
"Why should we fight? The funds in government treasuries
are ours. The treasuries are not threatened by thieves but by
those who guards it. The country is not betrayed by enemies
but by these traitors," the Gandhian said.
He said he has lost three-and-half kg in the last four
days. "I feel a little weak. But there is nothing to worry
about it. The fight will go on till we get a strong Lokpal,"
Hazare said in his brief address to the gathering.
His close associate Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia
said the Team was ready to talk to the government on the issue
of Lokpal Bill but no one has approached them.
"We are ready to talk to the government but there is no
communication from their side. Where should we go to talk and
whom should we talk to?" Kejriwal and Sisodia said.
Hazare had on Friday raised the political stakes by
giving a deadline to the government to pass the Jan Lokpal
bill by August 30 failing which he would continue his fast
"till my last breath".