Mumbai: Social activist and anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare was on Tuesday admitted to a hospital in Shirur in Pune after he complained of cold, cough and weakness.
Doctors have advised him to take complete rest, assuring that there is nothing wrong with his health. He is likely to be discharged by Wednesday evening.
On Tuesday morning, the octogenarian complained of cough and cold at his native Ralegan Siddhi village in Ahmednagar district. Following this, he was immediately taken to Vedanta Hospital in Shirur for a check-up.
“Due to cold, Mr Hazare had some infection in the chest and because of this, he complained of cough and weakness. He was examined by a team of doctors and later admitted to the hospital. But, doctors have said he is stable and there is nothing to worry,” one of his close associate said.
Earlier, the social activist had criticised the BJP for roping in leaders with ‘tainted’ backgrounds. “BJP should not recruit such people. If they (BJP) continue recruiting tainted people, then it will not be long before the party is defamed,” he said.
Mr Hazare said there was no dearth of corrupt leaders in politics. “These leaders, in a bid to hide their wrongdoings, always seek shelter with the ruling parties,” he said while taking the example of Shiv Sena leader Suresh Jain.
Mr Hazare said that Jain had to change his parties thrice to hide his multi-crore scandals. Thus, he argued, there was a delay in taking legal action against him.
The social activist said people should teach a lesson to parties that field candidates with tainted backgrounds, adding that young voters should take the initiative to usher in clean politics.
“They should ensure that only honest candidates, who will work in the interest of the general public, are elected,” he said.
Mr Hazare, also known for his contribution to the development of Ralegan Siddhi, a village in Parner taluka of Ahmednagar district, was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1992.
