Daijiworld Media Network
New Delhi, Aug 14: Anna Hazare, the hope of millions of anti-corruption crusaders in India, has come under heavy criticism from the country's oldest political party, and part of ruling UPA government at the centre, the Congress, just two days before his much-publicised fast.
Manish Tiwari, Congress spokesperson who doesn't mince words and who is known to defend the government and the party, told press persons in New Delhi that Anna has insulted the Prime Minister of India by questioning Manmohan Singh's right to hoist the flag at Red Fort on August 15, and with his remarks has also insulted the Indian flag and freedom fighters who sacrified their lives to the country.
Anna has no moral right to fast against corruption as he himself faces charges of graft, Tiwari said.
"Anna Hazare, who proclaims that he is Gandhian follower, is not at all a clean man, he himself is involved in several cases of corruption. This has been proved by the court appointed Justice Sawant commission," he said.
"The Justice Sawant commission has found that Anna Hazare is running several NGOs, and has spent huge money on his birthday celebrations." Tiwari alleged.
The commission's report, which levelled serious charges against Hazare, was submitted to the Maharashtra government in 2005.
Earlier, laying down the 22 conditions on Anna's August 16 fast, the Delhi government had restricted the fast to only three days, with a crowd of less than 5000 protestors. Anna refused to sign the letter of undertaking, and angered at the Delhi government, wrote a letter to the Prime Minister to allow him his proposed fast for atleast month fulfilling all his demands.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh replied to him that he should refer the case to the Delhi police, as the PMO has nothing to do with it.