Anna Hazare supporters end stir amidst poor response to protests in Chennai

Chennai:

Twenty-six supporters of Anna Hazare in Chennai, who had gone on fast against a ‘weak’ Lokpal Bill, ended their agitation on Wednesday amidst poor response to the second day of protest in Raghavendra Mandapam.

The two-day fast was broken after baby Pali, who is named after Lok Pal, offered sweet-lime juice to the protesters amid the chants of Jai Hind. The protesters also thanked superstar Rajinikanth for lending his Kalayana Mandapam for the protest.

The volunteers of India Against Corruption said they were not happy with the Lok Pal bill passed in the Lok Sabha but are still hopeful something may happen in Rajya Sabha.

“We are extremely disappointed with the Lokpal bill passed in the Lok Sabha. We refuse to be defeated by these kind of political power play,” said Banu Gomes, an IAC activist.

P S Sridharan, an IAC volunteer and a former Department of Atomic Energy scientific officer, told Express that the people were taken for a ride by the politicians who never wanted a strong Lok Pal bill.

The former scientific officer blamed the absence of youngsters  to winter vacation in schools and the Christmas vacations. “The IT professionals would have gone to their native places that is why the poor turnout. But it does not mean that they don’t support Anna Hazare’s movement,” he added.

Another IAC volunteer said the movement will recoup after improvement in Anna’s health.