Anna Hazare threatens stir if charges against ministers aren't probed

Anna Hazare on Monday said he will stage a sit-in and his close associates will go on an indefinite fast from July 25 in the national capital if the government does not investigate corruption charges against 14 Cabinet ministers named by them.

"My team will be fasting and I will be there to support them. We will carry out a nationwide fast," Hazare said.

He said his health does not permit to go on fast but if it gets better, he will "definitely" go on a hunger strike with his team.

A Team Anna member said the decision was taken as they feel the government was "not earnest" in bringing the Lokpal Bill.

"They are not bringing Lokpal law because they know if they bring it, many of its ministers will be in jail. We have given them names of 14 ministers. Let them investigate. If there is a case against them, remove them from the cabinet.

"If they do not remove them from the ministry and take action, we will start our agitation from July 25," the Team Anna member said.

He said Hazare will not sit on fast but stage a sit-in dharna while other Team Anna members will sit on indefinite fast.

Hazare had on March 25 demanded that FIRs be registered against 14 "corrupt" cabinet ministers of UPA by August, failing which a 'jail bharo' agitation will be launched.

During the protest, Kejriwal had named around 25 "corrupt" politicians, including Cabinet ministers.