PUNE: Social crusader Anna Hazare on Thursday accused Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of telling lies and betraying him as well as the people of the country by giving false promises regarding passing of the Lokpal bill, bringing all government officials under the Lokpal ambit, citizens' charter and setting up a Lokayukta in each state.

"I never imagined that for the sake of power you will speak a lie," Hazare said in a letter sent to Singh on Thursday. The letter stated that he would go on an indefinite fast at the Yadavbaba temple in Ralegan Siddhi from December 10.

Hazare recalled several promises made by the Prime Minister after he started an indefinite fast at Ramlila ground in New Delhi in 2011 and the subsequent letters reiterating the government's commitment to passing the Lokpal bill. However, matters have not progressed in the last two years, he rued. He said that whenever he raised the Lokpal issue, the Prime Minister gave him false assurances.

"Today, I feel that you made false promises to betray me and the people of India, as you just wanted to silence me and the people who participated in the Janlokpal movement. I always considered you a noble man and had a very good image. Many times I have publicly said that Prime Minister is a good man, but I never imagined that for the sake of power you will ever speak a lie," Hazare said in his letter. Had I known that Singh was betraying the people of the country I would never have ended the fast, he added.

Referring to the letters, Singh sent him on August 23 and August 27, 2011, Hazare said: "Now I assume that you won't remember what you had written in letters dated August 23 and 27. You must have forgotten them, therefore I am sending copies of your letters so that you can recall it. After reading them you will definitely feel that you have made a mistake. The lust for power is such that it makes one unconscious," Hazare said, adding, "From your office, I received many letters written by V Narayanasamy. Every time, he praised you and gave me assurances on your behalf. I am also attaching copy of one such letter dated 3/09/2013."

Hazare said he was worried about the future of the country if Singh's government includes people who bluntly lie. He pointed that the country will never prosper if it was ruled by liars. "I am surprised to see how come so many liars have come together in your government who level false allegations against me also," he said.

Hazare said Singh was doing injustice to the people by not bringing the Lokpal bill and this has forced him to go on an indefinite fast a day prior to the beginning of the winter session in Parliament. Hazare said the venue has been changed from Ramlila ground to Yadavbaba temple at Ralegan Siddhi due to health reasons.

'Verbal violence'

Anna Hazare acknowledged in his letter that he has committed 'verbal violence'. "In my life I have always followed the principle of non-violence and never committed any violence. But in this letter, I have made verbal violence. I know it but the government is responsible. Any such verbal violence which is for the benefit of society is not a sin," Hazare said in the letter.

