Mumbai, April 7 (IANS) Nearly a hundred people, including over 40 students, joined the relay fast across Maharashtra Thursday in support of social activist Anna Hazare's anti-corruption campaign.

"There are 45 people who are on a continuous fast since Tuesday. Today (Thursday), they were joined by 100 people, including 40 students, who will participate in a day-long relay fast," said Nag Sriniwas, a volunteer of India Against Corruption (IAC).

In Hazare's village Ralegan Siddhi, around 500 school children participated in a rally against corruption. Several supporters in the village are also on a relay fast.

In Pune, citizens have come out in full support of the movement and around 100 students from all over Pune took up the responsibility of promoting the cause using social networking sites and other methods.

The students also plan to organise similar relay hunger strikes outside government offices in Pune.

In Vidarbha, around 300 farmers and farm widows will organise a candle-light vigil in the evening to support Hazare's cause of clean administration and his fight against corruption.

"If Annaji, at 72, can fast indefinitely, the least we can do is support him. We shall register our support through a candle light march in villages of Vidarbha," said Kishor Tiwari, a social activist.

In Mumbai, activists of the IAC were led by NGOs like Maharashtra Telugu Manch, India Development Forum, Jagruk Nagrik Manch, Loksatta, Bombay Catholic Sabha, Art of Living, Bharat Swabhimaan Nivas and Medha Patkar's Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan.

Hazare's fast for a more stringent anti-corruption law continued for the third day Thursday with a groundswell of support from all sections of society.