Anna Hazare on Tuesday started his indefinite hunger strike to press the government for immediate passage of the Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament. Mr. Hazare said the Congress should understand the reality after the serious drubbing it received in the just-concluded assembly elections and ensure the passage of the Lokpal Bill in the Winter Session of Parliament.

“I offered prayers at the local temple before beginning the fast and asked God to give the government subuddhi to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill,” Mr. Hazare told reporters.

“If Prime Minister Manmohan Singh can pledge to get the Prevention of Communal Violence Bill passed in Parliament, why can’t he do the same for the much-delayed anti-graft law?” Mr. Hazare asked.

“I didn’t know that this UPA government will betray the public and me,” he said.