Rajasthan CM Gehlot pulls up Anna, Baba Ramdev

Jaipur -   Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday lashed out at veteran social activist Anna Hazare and Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev for repeatedly taking on the UPA Government over a strong Lokpal Bill, saying the nation will not accept their out of democratic process thinking.

Gehlot said the roots of democracy in India are quite strong even after 65 years of independence.

"The nation will not accept the manner in which Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev put forth their views out of the democratic process.  Democracy is alive in this country even after 65 years," said Gehlot.

"And, the roots of democracy are strong here because every election is held on time. It is not like Pakistan, where it is the rule of the soldiers and guns," he added.

Gehlot advised Hazare and his team members to put forward their views as per the democratic process.

"They should talk as per the democratic norms. Their attitude is dictatorial that what we have said the whole country will say, this is not possible in a democracy. So, they are not going to get the support," he said.

Gehlot further said the laws in the country are equal for all, be it the Prime Minister or any common man.

"I believe that the laws in the country are equal for all, whether it is the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, MLA, MP or the common man," he said.

Anna Hazare, who began his indefinite fast on Sunday for a strong Lokpal Bill at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, said he would not end his fast till a strong anti-graft bill is passed.

"Till the Lokpal Bill is not passed, the people of this country will not let me die," he told a large gathering at the Jantar Mantar.

The 75-year old activist, who began his indefinite fast appeals from his aides and doctors, was greeted by a much larger crowd at the Jantar Mantar.

"I would like to thank all the people who participated in rally today. With today's candlelight march I am confident that people of Delhi who were away from the protest till today will come in large numbers and from tomorrow we will witness surge in numbers of people in candlelight and the torch rally," he said, while welcoming his supporters.

Union Law and Justice Minister Salman Khurshid earlier said the Centre was ready to pass the Lokpal Bill by consensus and was making all efforts in this regard.

Khurshid claimed that the allegations of Team Anna that the government was not serious on the Lokpal issue was not true, and said the government took it seriously and got the Bill passed in Lok Sabha.