Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on August 6 said the government will not allow noted anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare to undertake his much-publicised fast unto death from August 9 at the historical August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai.

"Under certain rules, permission for hunger strike cannot be granted at the ground, which is of historical importance," Shinde told reporters when asked whether Hazare's agitation to press for various reforms would be allowed or not.

Neither Hazare nor Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Suresh Jain, against whom the noted social worker had hurled charges of corruption, would be allowed to undertake hunger strike at the maidan in South Mumbai, Shinde clarified. Jain, who indulged in a verbal spat with Hazare, has threatened that he would also resort to a fast unto death along with the noted social worker.

However, the Chief Minister appealed to Hazare to reconsider his decision of hunger strike.

"I have great respect for Hazare, who is a noted social worker and appeal to him not to resort to the extreme step," Shinde said.

PTI