Ralegan Siddhi, February 4: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Monday met social activist Anna Hazare, who has been on indefinite hunger strike since five days for setting up of a Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in states. Raj Thackeray extended his support to Hazare's agitation and asked him not to sacrifice his life for the "useless" government.

Thackeray and Hazare held a closed-door meeting at a room in the Yadav Baba temple premises for around 20 minutes. The MNS chief urged the 81-year-old anti-graft crusader to end his protest and conduct a joint tour of the state with him to "bury" the BJP-led government. He also urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre to fulfil the demands of Hazare. Anna Hazare Says BJP 'Used' Him in 2014 Lok Sabha Elections.

"I have appealed Anna not to sacrifice his life for these useless people. I have also asked him not to trust Prime Minister Narendra Modi and any of his promises," Thackeray said while addressing a gathering after meeting Hazare. He also accused PM Modi of "cheating" the nation and not following his party's own poll manifesto. Will Return Padma Bhushan, Warns Anna Hazare.

Thackeray claimed that PM Modi had on December 18, 2013, tweeted in favour of the Lokpal Bill. "Now, almost five years of the Modi government is completed but no action has been taken so far. Today, the people in power are there because of Anna's agitation in 2013. They should not forget it," he added, referring to Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal.

The MNS chief said he was surprised that even Kejriwal, who was part of Mr Hazare's agitation some years back and came into national limelight from there, had not visited the activist or enquired about his health. "The entire country got to know Mr Kejriwal because of Anna's agitation. Now, he (Kejriwal) is in power and not showing concern towards Mr Anna's health," he said.

On the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, January 30, Hazare launched his indefinite hunger strike to demand the setting up of a Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in states saying the Narendra Modi government “had failed” to set up the anti-corruption bodies.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 04, 2019 05:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).