Pune, June 28 (IANS) Social activist Anna Hazare Tuesday said he will start meeting top political leaders of all parties from Wednesday prior to his planned agitation, from Aug 16, for a stringent anti-graft Lokpal bill.

 
 "I hope to meet (Congress president) Sonia Gandhi in the next few days and also leaders of other parties," Hazare said at a meet the press programme, organised by Pune Union of Working Journalists, here Tuesday evening.
 
 "In a democracy, we must speak to everyone, irrespective of their views," he said.
 
 Accordingly, Hazare said he and his team members have also sent out messages to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and other organisations, including different religious groups.
 
 Asked about the lack of response from the prime minister over his demand to bring the post under the purview of the Lokpal, Hazare said: "Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is not afraid. He is under remote control, so he has not responded to our request."
 
 However, Hazare reiterated that he would go ahead with his proposed hunger strike in the capital from Aug 16 if his demands were not met.
 
 "I am not afraid even if the government used batons or bullets. If they don't allow me to sit at Jantar Mantar or Rajghat, then I will continue the hunger strike in jail. I am ready to sacrifice my life for the country. I shall be proud to die a martyr's death for my country," he asserted.
 
 Expressing complete faith in the democracy, Hazare said that if  parliament passes the Lokpal bill without taking into account recommendations of the civil society, they would accept it.
 
 "We shall accept it because parliament has passed it and we have full faith in parliament," he said.