NEW DELHI, Aug 18 (IANS): Social activist Anna Hazare will continue his indefinite fast at the Ramlila ground from Friday, his close aide said Thursday. While civic authorities were busy preparing the venue, ambiguity continued over when the 74-year-old Gandhian will leave the Tihar jail.
Members of Team Anna said he will leave Tihar Friday, but the jail officials said Hazare was likely to move out in the afternoon.
"I just spoke to Anna-ji in view of condition of Ramlila Maidan. Anna-ji will reach Ramlila Maidan tomorrow," Arvind Kejriwal was quoted as saying in a statement issued by Team Anna.
Kejriwal said that Anna's health is fine. "The jail doctors are looking after him and Dr Naresh Trehan's team is monitoring him 24 hours," he told reporters outside the Tihar Jail.
According to another close aide, Hazare will directly go to Ramlila ground Friday from Tihar. "As of now, we cannot confirm the time when he will reach Ramlila ground Friday," she said.
A Tihar Jail spokesperson told IANS that Hazare was likely to be out of the jail in the afternoon.
According to Team Anna, Delhi Police had granted them permission to hold the fast at Ramlila ground for 15 days.
"We have been given the Ramlila ground for 15 days, and have also been assured by Delhi Police that if we need the ground for more days, we can stay there. The conditions imposed on us earlier have also been withdrawn," said Kejriwal.
Team Anna also submitted a new undertaking to Delhi Police for holding the fast at the Ramlila ground.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was busy carrying out preparation at ground.
"Labourers are preparing the ground as there was rain water stagnated at different places. We are also making arrangements for toilets while loudspeakers and tents will be arranged by them (Team Anna)," said MCD house leader Subhash Arya.
Kiran Bedi, who was overseeing the work at the Ramlila ground, said that a lot of work needs to be done before Anna Hazare moves here.
"The civic authority is working but it will take time for putting mike, tents and some other basic facilities. As soon as the ground will be ready, I will message Anna-ji and then he will take a call when to come here - Thursday evening or Friday morning," Bedi told reporters here.
Hazare, 74, had planned to begin his fast for a stronger Lokpal bill at the J.P. Park in the ITO area Tuesday. However, Delhi Police imposed certain conditions before the protest could be allowed. Hazare refused to sign the undertaking, following which the police detained him and his other team members Tuesday.
He was arrested and subsequently released but he refused to leave the jail until allowed to carry on the protest without any conditions.
