Hazare ends fast; calls off `jail bharo’ campaign

Anna Hazare today announced an abrupt end to his fast for a stronger Lokpal bill and called off his campaign to fill jails from Friday amidst lukewarm response to his agitation from a reluctant public.

Hazare, who seems to have also lost hope of a change of heart for the ruling party, said whatever is going on is tragic.

"Whatever we are seeing today in Parliament is tragic. So I have decided to call off the fast today. There is only one way now. We will make a programme in the five states and go and awaken people there. I will tell them don't vote for traitors," Hazare said.

"I have no power, no money, yet people come. You will see at the time of elections how people rise to the occasion," Hazare said, hinting at people's backlash at the polls.

The 74-year-old activist has also been advised by doctors and his own followers to end his fast as he was too unwell.

A girl from Hazare's village, Ralegan Siddhi, gave the activist a glass of juice to break the fast. Hazare in turn offered juice to his team members Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Mayank Gandhi.