Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare will embark on a five-week-long tour starting Tuesday to Maharashtra to create awareness about the much-debated Lokpal Bill.
During the tour, Hazare will be visiting Mumbai on June 2.
He will take part in Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev's agitation against the black money that is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on June 3.
The 74-years-old Gandhian and his team are conducting several programmes to ensure the anti-corruption heat is on.
Earlier, the Team Anna members refused to join hands with Ramdev in his movement. However, now they have thrown their weight behind the yoga guru.
Speaking to IBTimes, Anna Hazare's close aide Anil Sharma said, "The government is showing no positive sign of efforts in introducing the promised strong Lokpal Bill. Hence, Annaji decided to drive across various districts creating awareness of the ongoing issues and garner strength for our anti-corruption movement."
Anil said that Hazare met various political party leaders on April 26 and 27, to know their stand on the Lokayukta provision in the Lokpal.
The opposition parties, including few allies of UPA government, had strongly opposed the mandatory Lokayukta clause under Lokpal, saying that it was an "infringe" on states' rights and demanded to make it optional. This was one of the much-argued topics over the anti-graft body.
"During a meeting with Hazare, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan assured that he will support in all the way possible in bringing Lokpal bill. However, he said that he couldn't take a stand because the Central government's policy was unclear," Anil added.
Anna Hazre will launch his tour from his home district Ahmednagar after a meeting in Rahata village. He will travel to Aurangabad and many other places to spread awareness about the need of the Jan Lokpal Bill and the Lokayukta.
He will engage in an interaction with the villagers, enlightening them about the various corruption issues and what they need to do to fight a system paralysed with irregularities.
Hazare's this tour is intended to revive the anger in common people against corruption. He will go on a drive covering several places, building the momentum that will help him to kick off a mass agitation, in case the government violates its promise on the Lokpal Bill.
