New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) Describing it as a victory of the people, social activist Swami Agnivesh Saturday said the government had issued the notification for setting up a joint panel for a stronger anti-corruption Lokpal Bill.
"It's the victory of the people," Swami Agnivesh told reporters after he received the notification from union Human Resource Minister Kapil Sibal.
"I am thankful to the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government that they respected the sentiments of the common people. And they came out with a respectable solution.
"Now, I will take this to Anna Hazareji. He is waiting for me and I am hopeful as he had announced last night (Friday) that he would break his fast-unto-death at 10.30 a.m. today (Saturday)," he said.
"After that, there will be celebration in the whole country as it is a victory of the people. It is for the first time in the history of independent India that government and civil society will work together," he said.
"We have got the notification and we should move ahead with hope," said Agnivesh, while waving the one-page notification.
He said Sibal had called him Saturday morning and asked him to come to his official residence. "He told me that the notification is ready," he added.
According to the notification, proceedings for the formation of the committee would start forthwith.
"Notification for the constitution of committee has been issued today and work on it will start from tomorrow or day after," he added.
As Swami Agnivesh reached Jantar Mantar where Anna Hazare has been on an indefinite hunger strike Tuesday, he flashed the copy of the notification from the dais. A sea of supporters who reached the venue since morning broke into patriotic songs and raised slogans like "Bharat mata ki jai", "Anna Tum Sangharsh Karo Hum Tumahre Saath Hai (Anna Hazare you struggle, we are with you".
The saffron clad social activist also shouted from the dais that the fight had just started and it was not the end.