Hazare does a U-turn, back in anti-Congress mode

Changing his stand, Anna Hazare on Friday said he will campaign against Congress in the five poll-bound states if the United Progress Alliance government fails to get the Jan Lokpal Bill passed in the winter session of Parliament.

"Let anybody say anything. I will campaign against those who did not bring the bill. I will go and campaign and say do not give vote to Congress if the Bill is not passed in the winter session of Parliament," he said addressing a press conference shortly after breaking his 19-day 'vow of silence' at Rajghat.

Hazare said if the Bill is not passed, he will fast for three days and then will go for a nation-wide tour.

Asked if he will campaign against BJP, he said he will not campaign for the party. "I won't campaign for BJP. There is no difference between Congress and BJP," he said.

However, Hazare praised Uttarakhand Chief Minister B C Khanduri for bringing a strong Lokayukta Bill and said he will honour the chief minister in New Delhi for his "bold step".

On Monday, Hazare had blogged that he would campaign in the five poll-bound states if the bill was not passed but would not name any party.

Team Anna had come under attack for campaigning against the Congress during the Hissar Lok Sabha by-poll with critics saying they are indulging in politics though they were claiming to be campaigning against corruption.

Accusing the government of trying to "weaken" the Jan Lokpal Bill, Hazare said there was no need for bring separate bills on citizens charter as well as on whistle blowers.

"The government's intention is doubtful...The government is trying to weaken the Jan Lokpal Bill by cutting it into pieces. All these provisions were there in the Jan Lokpal Bill," he said.

On Team Anna's campaign against Congress in Hissar Lok Sabha by-poll, he said it was because of the campaign that the Congress candidate lost his deposit in the election.

"We did not want to destabilise the government but wanted to send a strong message that till a strong Lokpal Bill is enacted, our agitation will continue," he said.

On restructuring of the core committee, Hazare said the committee will be reconstituted by giving representation to people from all religions, regions, castes and creeds and that people with integrity will be included in it.

On various allegations against some of the Team Anna members, he said, "There could be some drawback but that does not mean corruption."

Asked about his letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh threatening to restart his agitation if the Jan Lokpal Bill was not passed, he said he just wanted to remind the government about the passage of Bill.