I am not fond of staging hunger strikes. But the government's inaction and unwillingness to curb corruption is forcing me to do so, said Hazare before leaving for Mumbai on Monday to begin his three-day fast from Tuesday at the MMRDA ground. Hazare prayed at the Yadavbaba Temple,the village deity before leaving. He said people who were protesting were doing so not because of him but because they were tired of corruption. Hazare looked healthier as compared to his state on Sunday when he struggled to hold the microphone due to weakness. I will fast for three days in Mumbai following which I will leave for Delhi where I will protest in front of Sonia Gandhi's residence and court arrest. But it is not an agitation against her or any particular party. It is against corruption. I have been fighting this battle for the last 25 years and those who have followed it can tell that I am not against any particular party, said Hazare. He added that all the governments have been infatuated by money and power and showed unwillingness to curb the malaise of corruption that is adversely affecting the common citizen. Reminding the crowd of the government crackdown on the Ramlila Maidan during Baba Ramdev's protest,Hazare said he was quite aware that the government could deal with this agitation in the same manner. But whatever be their (government's) response,I urge people of this country that they shouldn't resort to violence. We will carry out this agitation only by non-violent methods, said Hazare. Many villagers,including his family members,were worried about his health. It is always an emotional moment for us whenever he fasts,but this time we are more worried as Annaji is not feeling well, said Kaushalya Hazare,daughter-in-law of Hazare's brother. Earlier in the day,Hazare was examined by his physician who said his health had considerably improved as compared to that on Sunday. According to the doctor,Hazare has been suffering from viral fever for last four days. Apart from general weakness due to illness,his health has considerably improved since yesterday. Though I advised him to avoid travelling by road,he was determined and went ahead with the plan, said D G Pote,Hazare's physician who will be with him in Mumbai as well. Hazare left Ralegan at 2.40 pm by road followed by a convoy of cars carrying mediapersons and his supporters. He stopped at Alandi near Pune where he offered prayers and sought blessings of Saint Dnyaneshwar.
