The proposed meeting of the core-committee members of Anna Hazare’s team to decide the future strategies to fight corruption has been deferred due to the 74-year-old’s poor health.
Core committee members Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Manish Sisodiya were to meet Mr Hazare on January 2 and 3 at Ralegan Siddhi in the Ahmednagar district. However, according to Mr Hazare’s close aides, the Gandhian would require to rest at least for a week considering the fragile condition of his health. “The meeting has been postponed and the next date will be announced after four to five days,” said Suresh Pathare, one of Mr Hazare’s close aide, adding that the anti-corruption crusader is not keeping well. Moreover, the India Against Corruption’s Mumbai chapter too issued a release saying, “Annaji’s health is still not good. As soon as he recovers, we will announce the next date.” Earlier, Team Anna had admitted that Mr Hazare’s fast did not create the desired pressure on the government.
The meeting was proposed in order to discuss the issues pertaining to touring the poll-bound states in the country and conducting awareness campaign amongst people for a strong Jan Lokpal Bill. Meanwhile, a doctor examined Mr Hazare at Padmavati Bhakt Nivas, a resting room made for him in the village. “A doctor examined Mr Hazare on Friday. He is feeling very weak and his cough still persists. As he has been advised complete rest, Mr Hazare has been resting since the day he returned from Mumbai,” said Sanjay Pathare, another close aide. Visitors continued to visit Ralegan Siddhi to catch the glim-pse of the septuagenarian. Howev-er, Mr Hazare refrained from meeting anyone. Mr Hazare had called off his fast on Wednesday due to his poor health. During his two-day fast, Mr Hazare was running a temperature of over 100 degrees and showed signs of severe dehydration.