New Delhi:
Sharad Pawar sent a letter last night to the Prime Minister resigning from the government's Group of Ministers in charge of fighting corruption. The Agriculture Minister's inclusion in the committee had been criticized by activists Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal.
Mr Pawar's letter to the PM states, "I have seen news reports questioning the desirability of certain members to continue as part of the Group of Ministers (GoM). On personal grounds, I would like to withdraw from this GoM."
When asked about Mr Pawar's resignation, Mr Hazare replied, "So what if he has quit...if one Pawar goes, another will come."
Mr Hazare is the epicentre of a massive movement against corruption. His hunger fast - now three days old - has received massive support from Indians across the world. The 72-year-old wants the government to introduce a tough new law to fight corruption - the Jan Lokpal Bill. Mr Hazare says that unless civil society is represented on the committee that's drafting the law, it will be ineffective. Politicians alone - if in charge of developing the bill, he says -will provide far too many loopholes to protect themselves from investigation.
Ministers like Kapil Sibal have urged Mr Hazare to end his fast, and to continue dialogue. They say that while they respect Mr Hazare's agenda, legislation must be handled by parliament alone.
Mr Pawar's letter to the PM states, "I have seen news reports questioning the desirability of certain members to continue as part of the Group of Ministers (GoM). On personal grounds, I would like to withdraw from this GoM."
When asked about Mr Pawar's resignation, Mr Hazare replied, "So what if he has quit...if one Pawar goes, another will come."
Mr Hazare is the epicentre of a massive movement against corruption. His hunger fast - now three days old - has received massive support from Indians across the world. The 72-year-old wants the government to introduce a tough new law to fight corruption - the Jan Lokpal Bill. Mr Hazare says that unless civil society is represented on the committee that's drafting the law, it will be ineffective. Politicians alone - if in charge of developing the bill, he says -will provide far too many loopholes to protect themselves from investigation.
Ministers like Kapil Sibal have urged Mr Hazare to end his fast, and to continue dialogue. They say that while they respect Mr Hazare's agenda, legislation must be handled by parliament alone.
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