Patna, Aug. 17: Reacting strongly to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s comment in Parliament against social activist Anna Hazare, chief minister Nitish Kumar today said the UPA government again wants to impose Emergency in the country.

Speaking on the sidelines of a function, Nitish said: “The comment of Manmohan Singhji is very disappointing and it seems that the Congress again wants to impose Emergency in the country. All these days, he (Singh) was sitting quietly. Now, he is suddenly giving such comments. The central government is keen to demolish every democratic practice and they can go to any extent to achieve it. I have failed to understand what kind of threat the government faces from the peaceful protest of Anna Hazare.”

He said: “The central government is afraid of Anna Hazare’s peaceful protest against corruption. They are also afraid of the mass support that Hazare is receiving. The people sitting in Delhi should look at the writing on the walls that the people of this country will not tolerate the steps of the government. It is an attack on the democratic rights. If the people’s democratic rights are suppressed, it would have a negative impact.”

On Hazare’s insistence of staging his fast in Delhi, Nitish said: “Anna Hazare should be allowed to fast at the park that is named after none other than JP. There should not be any condition as well. What is the meaning of setting conditions on people who want to sit on a fast? If anybody likes to join the peaceful protest, they should come forward to extend their support.”

“Fasts should not jeopardise peace but at the same time steps being taken by the government is undemocratic. The people have every right to raise their voice in a peaceful manner in support of their demands. If any person is sitting on a dharna and adopting the method of non-violence to meet their demands, I don’t think there would be any threat to law and order. The steps taken by the government against Anna Hazare is out of my comprehension,” said the chief minister.

He added that the people at the Centre want to eliminate and strangle the democratic rights of the people.

He also slammed the RJD chief, Lalu Prasad, for supporting the Union government’s stand and said: “I can’t expect anything more than this from these people who are sitting on the lap of the Congress. I think they are afraid of the move against corruption.”