BJP MP Varun Gandhi has offered his official residence to social activist Anna Hazare to carry out his fast, if the latter does not get permission to do it at any public place in the Capital. "Anna Hazare is not just a man, he is a movement. A way towards honesty and accountability, a way towards a clean prosperous India. To the young people of this nation and to my fellow parliamentarians, I say it is time to stand up and be counted," Gandhi said on Saturday. "If the government does not offer a public place for Shri Anna Hazare's fast, I am proud to offer him my house and official residence as an MP and I hope he will avail of the offer."

The BJP has, till now, tacitly supported Hazare's movement. Gandhi's statement goes a step forward in not just lending moral support but supporting the campaign far more directly.