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IANS NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 11, 2012 | UPDATED 15:39 IST

Anna Hazare inaugurates new office, says fight for Jan Lokpal Bill will

continue

Anna Hazare

Social activist Anna Hazare on Sunday accused Prime Minister Manmohan

Singh of "betrayal" on the Jan Lokpal bill and warned of another protest if it

was not passed before the 2014 general election.

Addressing supporters after inaugurating his new office here, Hazare said:

"If Jan Lokpal bill is not passed before the 2014 elections, we will hold

another rally at Ramlila Maidan."

The septuagenarian said Manmohan Singh had betrayed him by not

fulfilling his pledge to pass the anti-corruption bill in parliament.

"Our fight for Jan Lokpal bill will continue till it is passed by the government.

I will campaign throughout the country and try to raise the conscience of

the people. I will try to bring in a change," he said.

Taking a dig at politicians, Hazare said: "The country lacks leadership."

"The time has come to reach out to the country and spread the message of

anti-corruption. We have to work for a corruption-free India."

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Hazare had Saturday announced a new 15-member team and vowed to

start a nation-wide campaign against corruption from Jan 30, the death

anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

"Gandhiji said that to change the country we must first change our villages.

That will lead to development. If people could be changed with money, then

Tatas and Birlas would have done it," he said.

The new office at Sarvodaya Enclave in south Delhi has been rented from

a volunteer for the cause, an aide to Hazare told IANS.

On Sep 19, Hazare announced the disbanding of Team Anna and parted

ways with Arvind Kejriwal.

Hazare said Sunday that he and Kejriwal were following different ways to

achieve a common goal of corruption-free India.

"We don't have faith in the path Kejriwal is pursuing," he added.