Pune:
Veteran anti-graft activist Anna Hazare has been discharged from a hospital in Pune after undergoing treatment for acute bronchitis for a week.
"I am all right now, but still feeling weak. I have to take a break as the doctors have advised rest for some days," the 74-year-old Gandhian told reporters gathered outside the Sancheti Hospital.
He then drove straight to his hometown Ralegan Siddhi.
Doctors have advised the septuagenarian complete rest for a month. The anti-corruption crusader had come down with fever right on the first day of his three-day fast at the MMRDA Grounds in December last year. This led to him calling off his fast on the second day of the hunger strike. The decision came after doctors attending to Mr Hazare "strongly advised" him against going ahead with his agitation, citing danger to his kidneys. Mr Hazare then headed straight to Ralegan Siddhi from Mumbai where his doctor advised hospitalisation due to his deteriorating health due to a chest infection.
He was subsequently admitted to the Sancheti hospital in Pune on December 31.
Replying to queries on his proposed campaign in the five poll-bound states, Mr Hazare said that he would be unable to travel for the time being as per the doctors' advice.
"It is a long drawn out battle (against corruption), which I am fighting for the last 25 years. I have to take some rest as per the doctors' advice. After I am fully recovered, I will go out," he said.
Earlier this week, the activist's close aide Kiran Bedi, who visited him at the hospital, had said that had made it clear that Mr Hazare would not undertake any campaign or fast in view of the medical advice.