Social activist Anna Hazare and former Indian Army Chief General V.K. Singh on Monday demanded that the Parliament be dissolved. Terming the current governance as unconstitutional, Mr Hazare said that the recent reshuffle was aimed at “misleading people” and would “not bring any change.”
The duo, while demanding that the Parliament be dissolved, stated that they would act as watchdogs. “We are not a remote control. We just want change which we will bring about by educating people,” said the activist while asking masses to support him for the yearlong movement from January 30 next year.
Gen. Singh, while reading out a statement penned down by him and Mr Hazare, said, “As per our Constitution, India is a welfare state, in which a democratically elected government is dutybound to protect and improve the life of masses. However, the current system has completely ignored these principles enshrined in the Constitution and has surrendered to the market forces.”
The duo came down heavily on the UPA over its recent controversial decisions including Foreign Direct Investment, increase in the price of LPG gas and diesel. “For the welfare of the people of the country, the Parliament should be dissolved. A new Parliament needs to be elected for which people must elect their candidates who measure up their aspirations for ensuring that the Constitution is followed in letter and spirit,” read the statement.
“On the issue of water, forest, land and mineral wealth…people have lost faith in the government. Rivers and all possible sources of water are being privatised and forests are being sold,” said Gen. Singh.
Mr Hazare once again stated that he would support Arvind Kejriwal if he stands for elections. He also said that his new team is under formation and that he wants a representative in every state. Mr Hazare said he would not campaign in the Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat polls.