Hazare calls off fast

Hazare said he will be touring the State extensively to create awareness among voters but made it clear that he would not be criticising any political party.

In his 30 minute speech, Hazare recalled the events that forced him to undertake the fast, and particularly why he had chosen Alandi as the place. 8220;At the age of 25, with the inspiration of Swami Vivekananda and a line from the Dnyaneshwari paani adva pani jirwa8217;, I had started my work fromAlandi.8221;

8220;The watershed development programme was a success in Ralegansiddhi and it became an example for other states. But even as the rural developmental works were being completed here, there were stunning cases of corruption and these programmes turned out to be an exercise of paisa adva paisa jirva8217; in the departments of social forestry, soil-conservation, Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation, and Enron.8221;

He said he was punished for defamation and sent to jail. 8220;In such a situation, what can the common man hope for. How is he supposed to live?8221; Hazare wondered, adding that in the last ten days alone, he had received reports of some 14,000 cases of corruption.