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Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare on Sunday embarked on his 'Janatantra Yatra' (walk for democracy) in Amritsar to rally support against the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government in the run-up to the next general elections.
Accompanied by a small group of supporters, the 75-year-old activist paid obeisance at Durgiana Mandir and the Golden Temple, besides paying tribute to the martyrs at Jallianwala Bagh.
Addressing a group of people outside Jallianwala Bagh, Hazare, who was flanked by former army chief V K Singh, said only a mass movement will usher change in the country.
Hazare said after five months, a Jan Sansad (public rally) will be organised at Ramlila Ground in the national capital, "which will seal the fate of this corrupt government".
The public rallies are being held to press the 25-point agenda under the banner of Janatantra Yatra to garner people's support against the Congress-led UPA government, ahead of next year's Lok Sabha polls and make people aware of its efforts to ditch the Jan Lokpal Bill, he said.
Hazare had floated the Janatantra Morcha after the protests on Lokpal Bill fizzled out and Team Anna split, with a faction led by Arvind Kejriwal forming a political party.
Hazare later left in a six-vehicle cavalcade. He will pass through Rayya and Beas towns before leaving the city to reach Kapurthala and Jalandhar.
Hazare will address eight public rallies in Punjab during the first phase of the Janatantra Yatra.