While addressing a press conference on Thursday, Anna Hazare announced his fifth hunger strike starting December 10 demanding the Jan Lokpal Bill to be urgently cleared by the Parliament. Except there is a change in venue, Anna will observe the indefinite fast in his village at Ralegan Siddhi, Maharashtra instead of Ramlila Ground, Delhi as advised by doctors in view of his health after undergoing surgery.

"I had promised the people of India that if the government does not pass the Janlokpal Bill, then I will sit on'Anshan'(fast) from the first day of the winter session at Ramlila Maidan. I am not well as I underwent a difficult operation and doctors have asked me to take precautions," Hazare told the reporters.

This latest agitation will be organised under the banner of Jantantra Morcha, his newly formed organisation following his separation from Arvind Kejriwal over their difference of opinion – Anna not in favour of a political movement. The organisation has held over 700 rallies in seven states in the past six months to kindle people against corruption and inflation. A dedicated call centre addressing questions on the movement will operate starting today.

The anti-corruption draft Jan Lokpal Bill cleared Lok Sabha but has been sluggish at Rajya Sabha since May 2012.