Highlights: Anna Hazare, former Army Chief General VK Singh target Govt

Mumbai: In Mumbai, activist Anna Hazare and former army chief VK Singh have announced a new anti-corruption front. Here are the highlights of their press conference:

Anna Hazare:

• We have to change this country
• From Jan 30, we will tour the country - the General and me
• When people are involved, the atmosphere will change
• The system will improve
• What sort of azaadi (freedom) is this?
• These big dams that are built - where will water come from for our towns, our farmers?
• Nobody sitting in Parliament cares
• That's why we want the people to participate
• Govt is incapable of running this country
• Govt, Opposition won't introduce Lokpal (anti-corruption) bill
• They won't try end corruption
• Political parties use black money for their elections and campaigns

Ex chief of Army VK Singh:

• Govt has ignored constitutional principles of trying to improve the lives of people
• It is not concerned about well-being of poor or the gap between rich and poor
• The people have the right to decide if they want to be governed by neo-liberal policies brought in without their consent
• Govt is not delivering a welfare state
• Representatives we choose work for themselves and not for the people
• That is why farmers are committing suicide
• Tribals are being left homeless
• Farmers' land being given away by govt to companies
• People of this country have rights to this land being gifted to corporates
• Issues like land acquisition, water, jungles are important- who owns them?  But no MP raises this
• That decision should be made by the people.
• Corruption, scams, unemployment, poverty have left people discontent with the government
• We want parliament to be dissolved
• Bring back black money  from foreign banks -why does no party fight for this?
• How can PM clear FDI when the govt is in a minority?
• Govt has raised prices of fuel, every town is hurting
• Congress is isolated, its allies are walking away
• Let elections be held now so that the people can indicate if they are satisfied with all this
• Foreigners are given access to our natural resources, big industry is set up
• Poor people don't benefit from this
• It will not lead to progress
• If people take to the streets, parliament will have to be dissolved