Anna's old companions want him to widen team's scope

AURANGABAD: Perturbed by the controversies surrounding Team Anna, old companions of social crusader Anna Hazare  have decided to meet in Parbhani, Marathwada, after he ends his 'maun vrad' (silence vow), and request him to broaden the scope of his team.

"Anna is, at present, observing 'maun' at Ralegan Siddhi, but has consented to attend the gathering in Marathwada. Among his old companions are also persons associated with different political and social outfits. Many have been actively associated with Anna for 10 to 15 years," said Praful Patil, a doctor and an educationist from Parbhani.

Patil was president of the Parbhani unit of Anna's Bhrashtachar Virodhi Jan Andolan Nyas for three years.

Speaking to TOI on Wednesday, Patil said, "We will request Anna not to aim his movement against any particular party or organizations, because it could cause confusion among his supporters in those parties," said Patil.

"We will urge him to support only good candidates who believe in eradication of corruption, irrespective of their political affiliations. Anna has already done it, about eight years ago, when he supported good candidates, irrespective of their political parties. He had supported former Union home minister Shivraj Patil Chakurkar, state home minister R R Patil, Anantrao Deosarkar in Omerkhed and Vinayak Patil in Ahmedpur. He had addressed public meetings too in this regard. As a result, Deosarkar and Vinayak Patil had won elections," said Patil, who is also a part of NCP's Parbhani unit.

Patil said it was strange that those who came to know Anna just six months ago or a year ago, were authoritatively talking to people about him.

"All we want is that Anna's movement, that was launched in Maharashtra years ago, find its purpose. We don't want that movement to have a limited effect. We already communicated our feelings to Anna on October 21" said Patil who had also led a delegation to Ralegan Siddhi.

About 100 prominent activists from Marathwada, particularly the office-bearers of Anna's Bhrashtachar Virodhi Jan Andolan Nyas, and freedom fighters, including Gangaprasad Agrawal, the noted Sarvodaya leader, are expected to attend the meeting. This group comprises freedom fighters, young activists and professionals, Patil said. Taluka office-bearers appointed by Anna in Marathwada will all be invited to attend the crucial meet.