Veteran social activist Anna Hazare, who has been on fast since December 10 to press for the passage of the Lokpal Bill, has written a letter to Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, AICC in-charge of communication Ajay Maken said today.
Maken said that Anna, in his letter, has appreciated Rahul Gandhi's commitment to fight against corruption.
Maken further said Rahul Gandhi has replied to Anna's letter and said that his government was committed to giving the nation a strong Lokpal Bill.
"Rahul Gandhiji has replied to Annaji thanking him, also mentioned that he is inspired by the latter's efforts to fight corruption," he added.
Hazare on Sunday said he believes the Lokpal Bill approved by the select committee of the Rajya Sabha is good and added that people who detest this bill should also protest like him.
"All the 16 issues are important. It is true that we have compromised on the three issues but the thirteen other issues are equally important. The bill is for the welfare of the people. I have had a look at the 13 issues and then I told the government that the bill that I welcome they have put forth,"
"I am obliged to the government to put forth the bill in the Rajya Sabha. Now everyone is saying that the first issue they take up in the Rajya Sabha will be of the Lokpal bill. All the parties have agreed to it. In such a scenario if a few people make noise does not matter. If some people make noise while passing the bill let they do it. If they fall short of time they can extend it. I believe it is a good Lokpal bill," Anna said.
On Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, who termed the current Lokpal Bill as 'Jokepal', Anna said, "Do not associate his party's thoughts with ours. His and my paths are different now. I believe in revolutions not in forming parties to change the nation, as revolution is the only way to do that. If some people think the bill not complete, they should protest against it, like I had."
The demand for a Lokpal Bill was seen as a revolutionary anti-graft movement, which in 2011 not only drew tens of thousands of Indians united against corruption onto the streets, but also stopped parliamentary proceedings and dominated the headlines for days on end.
But 18 months on, India Against Corruption (IAC) - a popular movement led by a group of the country"s prominent social activists - have split due to the decision by some members to move from activism into politics.
The IAC movement, launched in December 2010, marked the first time in India that both the poor and the middle classes were united against corruption in such large numbers.
Over the past year, India has been transfixed by a campaign led by Anna Hazare to force the government to create an ombudsman, which would prosecute corrupt politicians and bureaucrats.
Hazares initial hunger strike brought millions of sympathisers out on streets and forced the government into a series of humiliating U-turns.
But "Team Anna" had lost some steam. When Hazare launched his third hunger strike in Mumbai, just before the New Year, very few turned up and he had to call it off prematurely because he was ill.
The proposed bill envisages the setting up of a national anti-corruption watchdog to check financial mismanagement and corrupt practices that have deeply pervaded several democratic and civic institutions of India.
