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2nd August 2012: On the 5th day of fast of Annaji and 9th day of the fast by Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Gopal Rai, Anna made the historic decision of giving the people of this country a political alternative.

He said, "I do not think that the Government has the intention of taking strong steps against corruption. Many people are asking me to give an alternative. Now I think that they are right and it is time to give the country an alternative." However he clarified that he would personally not participate in the elections.

Anna announced that since a lot of things need to be done now in that direction they will end the fast at 5 pm tomorrow.

He said the kind of political alternative he would suggest would aim at decentralization of power. He said that Gram Panchayat is the supreme body and it is they who solely have the right to take decisions over land, water, mines etc owned by the village. He also said there are around 6.5 lakh villages in India. He would move forward only when 3 lakh gram panchayats promise firstly that they would not vote for somebody who bribe them for vote and secondly that they would vote for the person he recommends.

Talking about the political alternative Annaji said even though he is studying the political alternative there are many questions on his mind. The most important among them being the selection process. He said that the right kind of candidate would be selected by studying their political vision, background, work for the society and dedication to the country. He said there are other questions also on his mind to which he is searching answers like funding, what happens if the person turns corrupt after coming to power, etc.

Strongly supporting Annaji's view, Arvind Kejriwal said, "today 23 eminent personalities had sent us a message to end our fast saying this deaf and dumb Government would never pass a strong law against corruption. They have asked us to give an alternative." (A copy of the letter written by eminent citizens was circulated earlier in the day) Arvind said this alternative is not a political party but an alternative kind of politics altogether.

Reiterating Annaji's questions he said there are many things that need to be answered like selection process, what is the candidates turn corrupt after being elected, how to educate voters not to vote for candidates who pay bribes, etc. He said the answers to these questions lies with the people and appealed them to send in their suggestions in the next couple of days.

Soon after this announcement, IAC reached out to its supporters through social media. An online survey is being circulated asking for people’s opinion at http://news.indiaagainstcorruption.org/iac_new/index.php/survey-on-political-alternative-by-anna-ji. Several TV channels and news portals also immediately started conducting polls which revealed more than 90 percent were in favor of creating an political alternative.

Throughout the day, as it was Rakshabandhan, many girls tied Rakhi threads on the wrists of the anshankaris.

Bollywood personalities Anupam Kher, Archana Puran Singh, Parmeet Sethi, Ranveer Shourey, Shiv Khera and Raghu of MTV Roadies fame also visited Anna at Jantar Mantar and appealed to the anshankaris to give up their fast.

In the evening a huge candle light rally was organised from India Gate to Jantar Mantar which was led by Anupam Kher, Archana Puran Singh and Parmeet Sethi. This rally witnessed participation of more than 25,000 people.

The vitals of anshankaris are as under:

Annaji: Pulse-94, BP-134/79, Sugar-85
Arvind: Pulse-74, BP-101/66, Sugar- 108
Manish: Pulse-78, BP-132/82, Sugar-77
Gopalji: Pulse-81, BP-117/74, Sugar-105

The donation collected yesterday was approximately 4.6 lakhs.

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