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