Anna Hazare to address people’s rally in Lucknow

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Social activist Anna Hazare is expected to address a people's rally here May 1, organisers said on Thursday, asserting that the programme will go ahead even in his absence or if the local administration does not give permission.

Hazare has assured the local organisers that despite his sudden illness, he would try his best to fly down to Lucknow for the proposed rally at the Jhule Lal Park along the banks of the Gomti river here. The organisers were all set to ensure success of the rally even if the local administration denies permission in the light of a new government order issued on Wednesday whereby the process has been made cumbersome and difficult.

"Permission or no permission, we will go ahead with the rally and other programmes," NGO India against corruption's local coordinator R.K. Agrawal told a press conference here. "Our mission is against corruption in general and we have no intention to target any individual or any particular political party or government," he said.

Asked if the programmes would be held even if Hazare couldn't come, Agrawal said: "Well, Anna-ji is all set to be here, but just in case his medical experts do not allow him to travel, the Lucknow programmes would be addressed by his close associates Arvind Kejriwal and Swami Agnivesh, who would definitely be here." Agrawal urged all supporters of Hazare to pray for his speedy recovery, so that he could make his scheduled visit.

Even as Hazare’s visit to Varanasi and Sultanpur stood cancelled, he plans to reach Lucknow May 1. He would begin his day with an interaction with intellectuals, religious scholars and clerics at the St Francis’ College auditorium 10 00 a.m, which would be followed by a press conference at the adjoining Cathedral School hall at 12.30 p.m.

Another meeting is scheduled with India against corruption coordinators and representatives of trade unions, social associations and NGOs at the City Montessori School (Gomati Nagar) auditorium at 3 00 p.m. This will be followed by the rally at the Jhule Lal Park 5 00 p.m.