Ambika Soni welcomes Team Anna's decision to end fast

New Delhi, Aug 2 (ANI): Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni on Thursday said she welcomed Team Anna's decision to end their indefinite fast, and added that one cannot impose pressure on the government in a democracy as it has some obligations and a constitutional path to follow.

Ambika Soni said Team Anna's criticism of the government for not bringing in a Lokpal Bill is not correct, and added that the UPA has taken firm steps in this regard.

"I am glad that they have agreed to call off their fast. It's a good thing because these things can't work as a pressure in a democracy. You can't hold a government to ransom. A government elected to office by the people of the country has some obligations, a constitutional path to follow. Now they have made their point and to accuse the government of not bringing the Lokpal is not the truth," said Soni.

"The Lokpal Bill was passed by Lok Sabha. The Lokpal Bill was brought to the Rajya Sabha by the government in office. It was not passed because everybody wanted to discuss it further," she added.

Ambika Soni further said the Select Committee of Parliament is at the moment going through the Lokpal Bill.

"Today the Lokpal Bill is not with the government. It is with the Select Committee of Parliament. It is the property of Parliament. So, they must understand that before accusing the government," she said.

Veteran social activist Anna Hazare earlier today announced that they will call off their fast against corruption at 5 p.m. tomorrow.

The decision was taken due to rising concern about the health of Arvind Kejriwal, Gopal Rai and Manish Sisodia who have been on fast since July 25. Hazare began his hunger strike July 29.

The crowds have been thin as compared to the fast undertaken by Anna Hazare last year at the Ramlila Maidan. The Anna team has been blaming the media for not projecting their fast in the right perspective. Arvind Kejriwal made amends later by saying that media was a part of the 'movement.'

Following the blasts in Pune, Police have intensified security around the venue of the fast in the Capital.

Delhi Police on Wednesday sent a letter to Team Anna, asking Kejriwal, Sisodia and Rai - to agree to end their protest and be hospitalized.

In its letter, the Delhi Police reminded Team Anna that in the affidavit submitted to it before the start of the agitation, there was a clause that said that the latter would be permitted to shift fasting team members to hospital if their medical condition turned critical.

The letter of the Delhi Police is based on the observations of a team of doctors from Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital.

Arvind Kejriwal yesterday accused the government of plotting a conspiracy against him, and said that he would be killed if taken to hospital for a medical check up.

Kejriwal, who refused to give his medical reports to government doctors, also hit out at the government for its indifferent attitude.

The standoff between the UPA and Team Anna intensified after the latter demanded the setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of retired judges of Supreme and High Courts, to probe charges of corruption against 15 cabinet ministers, including the Prime Minister. (ANI)