Hazare discharged from hospital, advised month's rest

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Social crusader Anna Hazare was discharged from hospital on Sunday and said he would apply his mind to the next phase of the anti-corruption movement started by him on the Lokpal Bill issue after fully recovering from his health problems.

"I am all right now, but still feeling weak. I have to take a break as the doctors have advised rest for some days. I will think about it (agitation) after I am fully recovered," Hazare told reporters, who asked him about his next move on the Lokpal Bill issue.

In reply to a question about charges of corruption being leveled against the members of his team, Hazare said, "I was not in touch with the outside world for ten days."

He refused to answer queries in this regard. On his proposed tour of the five poll-bound states, he said, he would not be able to undertake 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 added.

Hazare was admitted to Sancheti hospital here on December 31, after he developed acute bronchitis, soon after the fast he undertook in Mumbai on December 27 in support of a strong Lokpal Bill that was debated in the Parliament.

According to Dr K. H. Sancheti, Hazare had recovered well, but needed one month's rest to avoid relapse. The Gandhian drove straight to Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district after his discharge from hospital.

Earlier this week, Kiran Bedi, Hazare's aide who visited him in the hospital, had made it clear that he would not be undertaking any campaign or fast in view of the medical advice.