(Image source from: Indianexpress.com)

Activist Anna Hazare begins his hunger strike on Wednesday over delay in the appointment of Lokpal and passage of the Lokayukta Act in the Maharashtra state.

In the Morning Anna Hazare visted Padmavati Temple to offer prayers in his village Ralegan Siddhi, Maharashtra.

Speaking to PTI he said he welcomed the Cabinet’s decision of Maharashtra to bring the office of state chief minister under the jurisdiction of Lokayukta.

“However, the strike will continue till the government fulfils promises they made before coming to power about passage of Lokayukta Act, appointment of Lokpal and to tackle farmers’ issues,” he said.

Docters conducted a basic health check up of Hazare.

One of his aide said, “Hazare has now begun his fast as he is disappointed with the state government for not appointing the Lokayukta.”

On Monday, Anna Hazare had written a letter to CM Devendra Fadnavis informing about he would launch he agitation.

Girish Mahajan, Minister who has been acting as an representative between the government and Hazare.

On Tuesday urged the activist to cancel the agitation, claiming that almost all the demands made by him were fulfilled.

Hazare said until the Lokayukta Act becomes reality would not call off the agitation.

Anna Hazare has been demanding implement the Swaminathan Commission recommendations and also some electoral reforms apart from the appointment of lokpal at the center and Lokayukta in states.

“It has been five years since the Lokpal Act was passed. Yet the Narendra Modi government has not appointed Lokpal.”

“Lokayukta Act has not been passed in Maharashtra for four years,” Hazare observed in his letter dated January 28.

“Nine months have passed, yet the demands have not been fulfilled. Hence, I will be on hunger strike in my village Ralegan Siddhi on January 30,” he had said in the letter.

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday decided to bring the office of chief minister under the jurisdiction of Lokayukta. Hazare had welcomed the government’s decision.

“I thank them on behalf of the people for taking the decision towards appointment of Lokayukta through a constitutional process. But, it is not mean that I will not stage hunger strike. The agitation will go on until the Act is in place,” he had said.

-Sai Kumar