Send 100 reps in 2019 to elect farmer loving PM: Anna Hazare

-- Voters urged to elect good candidates than parties

BHUBANESWAR: “Send at least 100 representatives of farmers in 2019 polls who can decide who will be the Prime Minister of India and can address plight of the farmers in the country,” said anti-graft crusader Anna Hazaare while addressing thousands of farmers in a public meeting organised by the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS) here on Tuesday.    

Anna said the farmers might not get success in 2014 election, but they should get ready to send farmer’s representatives to the Parliament in 2019 or 2024 polls. Though the farmers can’t send all the Lok Sabha members, but can send at least 100 representatives who can choose the farmer loving candidate for the coveted post of the Prime Minister, he added.

The anti-graft activist called upon the people to participate in the revolution for change of the system and suggested the mass to elect honest citizens to participate in elections so that they will work for the people not for the party. He urged the people not to vote for the corrupt and criminal leaders and chose the candidates carefully while casting votes as every party has its share of criminal leaders.

“Nothing will happen in change of power, we have to change the system. Now our country is ruled by a few political parties instead of the people of the nation,” said Anna, adding, “Partytantra has overpowered Loktantra, so that we should finish the partyraj in the country.”

After independence, the Government didn’t think about development of villages, but focused on cities only. “If the Government does develop villages, country will not flourish,” said Anna and suggested the Government to plan in a holistic manner for the proper use of water, land and jungle in the villages.

The activist further said the rivers, dams and jungles are sold to industries in the name of development. Farmers are neglected in their own country. “We will organise all the farmers of the country to fight for their rights,” the activist added.  

Our economy is not so strong because our Government has taken a faulty way of development. “We have to change the way and it will be begun from Odisha,” said the activist.  

From 1857 to 1947, the people of the country had fought for first independence of India. “Englishmen were our target, and they were compelled to leave the country. But we have to fight for second independence to get rid of loot, goondaism, corruption and black money,” Anna said.

Anna said he will visit every State to sensitise the people in this regard for the next five years. He will work to pressurise the Government to give power to Gram Sabha. The anti-corruption crusader also said that he will work to bring the Right to Reject bill and the Right to Recall bill in the Parliament that will debar criminals from contesting the elections.