Hazare warns of new fast

Anti-graft protester Anna Hazare, whose campaign in August for a new anti-corruption law galvanised millions, threatened yesterday to start another hunger strike unless his demands are met.
The 74-year-old activist wants a new law passed by the end of the winter session of parliament on December 21 that would create a powerful new ombudsman able to investigate and prosecute public servants.
"I will begin my hunger strike on the last day of the winter session of the parliament if it fails to pass an effective Jan Lokpal bill," Hazare said in the letter written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Hazare said he was confident that a strong legislation would bring down corruption in the country by "at least 60 percent".
Hazare's latest salvo is likely to put fresh pressure on Singh's embattled government, already reeling from a series of corruption scandals including the possibly fraudulent sale of telecom licences that cost the country up to $39 billion.