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The suspense over Anna Hazare’s fast venue is finally over. Team Anna on Saturday deposited the security amount as well as the rent for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) ground for the three-day agitation beginning December 27.

But now, the weather has played spoilsport with Anna’s health. A close associate of the social activist, Datta Awari, said he had caught cough and cold.

The Lokpal crusader, though, is unfazed and plans to go ahead with his hunger strike.

"Anna has been feeling weak because of the cold, but he will be in Mumbai, as planned, for the fast. The plan is to reach Mumbai late in the evening on December 26. He will travel from Ralegan Siddhi to Mumbai by road. He is preparing himself by taking adequate rest as the days ahead will be tough," Awari said.

Another aide, Suresh Pathare, said Anna was taking medicines and there was no reason to worry.

Team Anna deposited Rs.7.78 lakh towards the rent and Rs.5.29 lakh as the security deposit to hire the MMRDA ground for the three-day jamboree a day after the Bombay High Court rejected their petition seeking a fee-waiver.

The court had on Friday refused to intervene, saying it could not allow "parallel canvassing" when Parliament was debating the Lokpal Bill. Dashing Team Anna’s hopes to hire the ground for free, the court said since the petitioner - India Against Corruption - was not a registered social organisation, it was not entitled to any exemptions.

The ground has now been booked in the name of the Public Cause Research Foundation, a Delhi-based organisation.

Hemanshu Shah, a member of India Against Corruption, the NGO spearheading Anna’s campaign, volunteered to make the entire payment as a "temporary loan" to ensure a smooth going ahead of the event as the booking had to be completed over the weekend.

A member of the NGO said: "The Public Cause Research Foundation paid Rs.15 lakh on Saturday out of which the amount charged has been returned to Shah. We have many donors coming forward. These names include Vishal Dadlani, Rahul Mehra and others. They will make their donations on Monday."

The NGO said it would release the names of all donors and the details of the payments received to maintain transparency.

The 48,000-square metre MMRDA ground can accommodate over 60,000 people. About 20,000 sq metres will be rented out for the rally and 10,000 sq metre for the parking of vehicles.

The dates indicated for the pandal installation is December 26 and removal is December 30.

The NGO said a room, with attached toilet, has been given for Anna’s use.

He will also have a cot to rest. The stage will be designed by architect N. Srinivasan, a member of India Against Corruption.

Provisions have been made for the security of the invitees, Anna and the VIPs who are likely to attend. A doctor will be available on call at the venue. Anna will be joined by his close aides, Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi.

About 1,000 people are expected to participate in the fast with Anna.

The government, meanwhile hardened its stand as it said it would deal with the issue with an "iron hand". "A team of five members cannot pressurise the government on passing a Bill. A Bill can be passed only in Parliament after voting... and not by someone on the streets or maidans. They cannot decide for Parliament. We will handle this with an iron hand," Union minister of state in the PMO, V. Narayanasamy, told reporters in New Delhi.

The Congress, too, upped the ante against Team Anna. AICC general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi said Hazare’s proposed fast was unwarranted as Parliament was seized of the Lokpal Bill.

Digvijaya Singh accused the activist of playing into the BJP’s hands. He said the Congress had kept its word on Lokpal but Hazare was still going ahead with his fast with the aim to harm the party while overlooking corruption in BJP-ruled states.