Delhi to Mumbai, MPs debate, Anna protests, Parliament Debates Lokpal Bill

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Delhi to Mumbai, MPs debate, Anna protests, Parliament Debates Lokpal Bill, Veteran social activist Anna Hazare began his fast in Mumbai on Tuesday calling the Parliament to pass a tougher version of the anti-corruption Lokpal Bill than the one MPs are debating from today.

Hazare began his fast in the country's business capital to protest what he has called the proposed watchdog's lack of teeth.

The Mumbai police have reportedly decided to make Kalina ground a makeshift jail. Kalina is in the western suburbs of Mumbai, close to the MMRDA ground.

Delhi to Mumbai, MPs debate, Anna protests, Parliament Debates Lokpal Bill

The government introduced the new version of the Lokpal Bill in Lok Sabha last Thursday after a lengthy debate during which almost all parties opposed the introduction of the Bill in its current form.

For the 74-year-old activist it is his fourth fast since April. He was on Monday suffering from a viral infection.

Speaking to his supporters at the venue, Hazare said he was only working for the betterment of the country and was not afraid to die.

“I am not afraid to die. I have decided that whenever I die it will be for the country and till the time I live I will work for the betterment of this country,” Hazare said.

Parliament is meeting Dec 27-29 in an extended session to debate the bill that was tabled last week.

Hazare has called the government's anti-graft legislation an attempt to fool the country without actually taking tough action to end rampant corruption that angers almost everyone.

His main complaint is that the proposed corruption ombudsman would not have authority over the country's top investigative agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation. He says the ombudsman position will be too weak without that authority.