In a bid to ensure selection of clean candidates in elections to bring in the Jan Lokpal bill, social activist Anna Hazare on Saturday appealed people to join his anti-corruption movement by filling forms on ww.joinannahazare.org.in
Earlier, Mr Hazare had stated that he would reach to the masses of the country through the Internet. The anti-corruption crusader has also asked his volunteers to undertake a public education campaign to strengthen the cause. Keeping in view the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the social activist, who will kickstart his year-long India tour from January 30 has appealed to volunteers joining him to form groups in tehsil, district and the state-level to undertake a campaign for educating voters.
“Those who will join the movement should appeal to the citizens of the country not to vote for a political party, but for a candidate with good conduct. They should also make groups of clean candidates in tehsil, district and the state level,” he said, “Nowadays, the voter turnout is 50 per cent due to which candidates with 18 to 20 per cent of the total votes get elected and rule. This democracy is not right. Through public education, volunteers should take efforts for 85 to 90 per cent voter turnout.”
Criticising FDI in retail, the social activist said, “PM Manmohan Singh says that it is necessary for private companies to come to the country to change the economy… I had heard that the PM is influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s views… Mahatma had stated that to change the economy of the country, it is necessary to change the economy of the villages …there is so much difference between their thoughts.”
Demanding that Parliament be dissolved, Mr Hazare stated that privatisation into water, forest, land and mineral wealth is a worrying factor.
“If crores of citizens will come on the roads, the government will be compelled to pass anti-corruption laws. In 2014 Lok sabha elections, we should only send candidates to Parliament after taking into account their social conduct,” said Mr Hazare.