Anna Hazare a Hindutva Project?

If the results of the five state assembly elections have brought a feeling of despondency to the ruling Congress party, the public’s verdict this week should also be making social activist Anna Hazare and his team uncomfortable.

The anti-corruption movement launched by the veteran activist last year shook the political establishment, and in the heat of the moment it was widely assumed that any political party with even the slightest taint of graft would bite the dust at the polls. Team Anna also suggested that parties that had opposed a strong Ombudsman (Lokpal) Bill in the parliament would face the wrath of the people, and they hit the campaign trail to ensure that this would be the case.

But the election results have instead not just highlighted the limits of their particular stripe of activism, but placed a question mark over the motivations of such agitations generally.

The Samajwadi Party (SP), swept to power in Uttar Pradesh, has been critical of the Anna Hazare movement, and was instrumental in blocking the introduction of the Ombudsman Bill in the upper house of parliament. But the SP has also been hit by numerous allegations of corruption, including an SP candidate who was jailed.

The results in the neighboring state of Uttrakhand were also telling. This was the only state that was pressured by the anti-corruption movement to pass the Anna Hazare version of the Ombudsman Bill. Anti-corruption crusaders spent much time there during the election trying to mobilize support for the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and its chief minister for bringing the landmark legislation. But B.C. Khanduri not only lost his seat, but saw his party come in second to the Congress.

Even in Punjab, where the BJP allied with a bigger regional partner to retain power, it lost several seats in the urban constituencies that were the focus of the Hazare campaign. The BJP, which thrives on the urban vote, couldn’t take advantage of the anti-corruption campaign, and ceded ground to its rival the Congress, which was the target of the whole Anna movement.

The attempted mobilization over the issue of corruption seemed aimed more at targeting the Congress, rather than corruption. Indeed, newspapers and magazines have written extensively about how anti-corruption activists were given active support by local BJP and other Hindutva organizations in the elections. English weekly Open even ran a cover story a couple of weeks back describing Team Anna as the “BJP’s Team B.”

This shouldn’t be surprising – key players in the anti-corruption movement, including Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, openly hobnobbed with the BJP and other rightists. These elections have therefore exposed the hypocrisy of the anti-corruption crusaders and brought into the open the hidden agenda behind the agitation.

The anti-corruption brigade are increasingly looking like part of a Hindutva project motivated not by a good cause, but by a desire to capture power in New Delhi by displacing the Congress party.

No 'understanding' with Govt on Lokpal: BJP

New Delhi: The BJP on Wednesday refuted suggestions it had an "understanding" with the government on the Lokpal Bill, insisting the party will stick to the dissent notes it had submitted to the Parliamentary panel dealing with the Bill and also move amendments where it does not agree.

Though senior BJP leaders maintained they were unaware of the contents of the Lokpal Bill and can react only when the copy of the proposed legislation is circulated to them, the party said it will not dilute its stand.
"There is no understanding with the government on the Lokpal Bill. Only when the draft is circulated will it be possible for us to study it and comment on it. We will try to give a preliminary reaction tomorrow," Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said.

He said BJP has already stated its position on the Lokpal in the dissent notes it gave to the Standing Committee on Law and Justice which was dealing with the existing Lokpal Bill. BJP members in the Committee had given 18 dissent notes.

The BJP leader insisted that his party had reacted "at times even harshly" to the government Lokpal draft, adding that the yardstick for this is the dissent note.

Jaitley maintained that what has appeared in the newspapers about the "basic features" of new Lokpal Bill is "a matter of concern".

"Like in the appointment of Lokpal the influence of the government is overarching, if the newspaper reports are true. The independence and autonomy of the CBI is not there; there is government control. There are several other questions on which it is possible to make comments only after seeing the whole draft," Jaitley said.

The BJP also maintained that the extension of winter session of Parliament was not a priority area for the party and it was only concerned about the content of the law which should be "reasonable".

Lokpal: endgame near despite Anna protest?

New Delhi: As the deadline of another agitation by Anna Hazare for a strong Lokpal Bill approaches, the UPA has decided to withdraw the old draft and introduce a new one in Parliament even though several smaller parties have accused the Government of trying to rush though the proposed anti-corruption legislation.
Anna has threatened to go on hunger strike from December 27 if Parliament fails to pass a strong Lokpal Bill, but there is no unanimity among the different parties on the proposed Bill.

The winter session of Parliament, which was scheduled to end on December 22, has been extended by three days from December 27 to discuss Lokpal Bill and other legislations.

The Lokpal bill is expected to be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday and would be taken up for discussion when Parliament reconvenes on December 27 after a four-day Christmas break.

Even as UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi addressed Congress MPs and assured them that the government bend further to please Team Anna and the Opposition, the UPA withdrew the old bill and decided to introduce a new draft. The BJP has given its nod to this proposal.

She told her party colleagues that the Government won't go down without a fight on the Lokpal Bill and will ensure that it doesn't meet the same fate as the Women's Reservation Bill.

She also reiterated that the Government and the party were united on the issue and hit out at the Opposition in general and the BJP in particular for trying to derail the Lokpal Bill.

"The Lokpal Bill has been cleared by the Cabinet. The Opposition will have lots of things to say. They should accept suggestions of Government. Team Anna should also accept it. The Opposition cannot reconcile to the fact that they lost (the 2009 Lok Sabha elections). The party and Government support each other, there is no rift between the party and Government," said Sonia.

In another major development, several MPs cutting across party lines have come down heavily on both the Lokpal Bill cleared by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Cabinet and anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, Samajwadi Party Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury have questioned the UPA Government's intention while making it clear that Parliament will not rush through the anti-corruption legislation in a hurry to please Hazare and his associates.

Lalu questioned the need for rushing though the legislation and said that a Bill can be passed after following a due process of Parliament.

"No one can dictate terms to us. Parliament has to follow due process. It is an important legislation. MPs may want to move amendments. How can we rush through it?" questioned Lalu.

Mulayam Singh Yadav warned the government that the proposed legislation would give 'all powers' to the police.

"Lokpal will not be in your hands. It will go to the hands of police. Nothing can be done then against the police," he said and apparently referred to Anna Hazare as he asked whether all this could be done "under pressure of one man".

He said his party will oppose as much as it can. "These powers will go to the police, they will not respect us (MPs). Superintendents of Police and District

Magistrates will send us to jail," Yadav said.

Mayawati-led Bhaujan Samaj Party is also against rushing through the Bill while the Shiv Sena has opposed the concept of a Lokpal completely. The BJP and Biju Janata Dal have also opposed the Government version, but want an early passage of the Bill.

The BJP is yet to reveal its strategy but it has said that the party is ready for a discussion on the Bill any day. It is likely to raise objections on the procedure of the appointment of the Lokpal panel.

BJP leader Arun Jaitely said, "Primary reports on draft are matter of concern. It doesn't measure to our expectation. Selection of Lokpal and independence of CBI is a major concern."

However, Keeping up the heat, Team Anna on Wednesday attacked the government for keeping CBI out of Lokpal's ambit, saying it 'totally destroys' the anti-corruption mechanism in the country by not giving an investigating arm to the ombudsman.

"If the CBI is outside, then how will the Lokpal be strong? This system will save corrupt politicians. If CBI comes under Lokpal then (Home Minister) P Chidambaram will be in jail. You are saving corrupt politicians and say it is a strong Lokpal," Anna said.

"It is cheating people who will teach them a lesson," he said adding he will campaign against the UPA in Uttar Pradesh and other four states going to polls early next year.

Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal said the new bill will do "more harm than doing good" to the existing anti-graft machinery.

Another Team Anna member Justice Santosh Hegde said there was some "ego problem" with government in accepting certain suggestions in Jan Lokpal bill while Kiran Bedi claimed that the agency will remain under government control till immunity is given for past acts of corruption by political parties.

"The Lokpal Bill will not have even investigating powers. You will complain to Lokpal but it cannot investigate. What Lokpal is the government setting up? It means the government is cheating people," Kejriwal said.

Hegde said with CBI out of Lokpal's control, what it does will be like departmental enquiry. "This is certainly unacceptable," he said.

Bedi said on micro-blogging site Twitter, "The bill is not path breaking but breaking the path. Thank you Sonia G."

"It appears till a provision for immunity is guaranteed for past acts of corruption, political parties will ensure CBI remains in government control," she said, adding it was now 'Save CBI' campaign.

The government may find it difficult to pass the Lokpal Bill in the Parliament if the Opposition continue to oppose it. The government has a majority in Lok Sabha but the Opposition can push for amendments in Rajya Sabha.

No Anna effect: Cong, NCP sweep Maha civic polls

Mumbai: It is a big sweep for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress in the Maharashtra civic polls with the parties winning as many as 80 local bodies.

The opposition parties, Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to bag just 14 civic bodies.
The results suggest that anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare and his campaign failed to have any affect on the elections.

The result is also interesting as the NCP and the Congress were not in an alliance in many regions.

Anna Hazare's anti-graft movement a conspiracy: Ashok Gehlot

JAIPUR: Launching a scathing attack on Anna Hazare, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today alleged the social activist's anti-graft movement was part of a "conspiracy by local or foreign forces".

"Anna is directly or indirectly controlled by some local or foreign forces and it appears the atmosphere being created today is a part of some conspiracy..this is dangerous," he said.

"Senior BJP leader L K Advani could not attract more than 5,000 people at his public meeting here a few days back but thousands gathered for Anna's dharna. How do they arrange it? It gives the impression that some forces are working behind it," Gehlot said.

The Chief Minister was speaking after unveiling a folder ahead of Congress' completion of three years at the helm in the state.

Gehlot dubbed as "disgraceful" Hazare's initial reaction after Union minister Sharad Pawar was slapped by a youth in Delhi last month.

"Look at Anna Hazare's attitude...it is arrogance. It is unfortunate that the man who calls himself a Gandhian and wants to be called as a sign of transformation reacted in a disgraceful manner by justifying the incident," he said.

He also slammed the BJP alleging corruption was rampant during NDA's rule at the Centre and when Vasundhara Raje was Rajasthan Chief Minister.

"Corruption was rampant during the BJP rule in the state and at the Centre. Not only the opposition Congress but BJP leaders also levelled corruption charges againsg Raje," he said.

Political parties use stage, grind own axe

NEW DELHI: The show of strength by major political parties, including BJP and Left, was driven by the recognition that activist Anna Hazare had struck a chord with the people on the issue of corruption. But party leaders used the opportunity not just to express solidarity with Hazare's campaign, but also to push their pet political agendas.

So, TDP's K Yerran Naidu used the forum to talk about political influence on CBI while protesting against the agency investigating Chandrababu Naidu. CPM's Brinda Karat struck a familiar note, attacking big corporates and their "loot'' of public money. Shiromani Akali Dal reminded the country about lack of justice for victims of 1984 Sikh riots.

Karat, a CPM politburo member, charged big corporate houses with looting the country and demanded they should be brought under the Lokpal. "They (private companies) will have to be brought under Lokpal. They are looting the country whether it is black money, 2G spectrum, mining leases or land acquisition," she said.

She also argued for inclusion of MPs in its ambit. This was supported by BJP with the rider that if a corrupt practice took place outside the confines of Parliament, the representative should be charged.

TDP's Naidu taunted Rahul Gandhi saying he was speaking about corruption only when faced with an election in Uttar Pradesh. He accused Congress of using CBI for political gains. "This is why the government does not want CBI within the Lokpal,'' he said, adding that TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu was implicated in false cases by the agency.

Akali Dal's S S Dhindsa stressed on the need for an independent authority, saying there was still no justice for victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Anna Hazare to be invited for campaign against Modi govt

VADODARA: A BJP rebel in Gujarat is planning to invite anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare to launch a state-wide campaign against the Narendra Modi government.

Former BJP Minister Nalin Bhatt, who has quit the party, said, "we are planning to invite Hazare to Gujarat to launch a crusade against the rampant corruption in the state."

Bhatt also criticised Modi's planned Sadbhavna fast in the city on December 15.

Parties wary of ‘declaration against corruption’

Even though the appeal by members of India Against Corruption to sign the vachan patra failed to yield response among political players in the city, the parties are still trying to encash upon the ‘Anna effect’. Some of the parties are bringing to fore ‘crusade against corruption’.

Members of the newly constituted Chandigarh Jan Manch (CJM) insist that the front was constituted after Anna Hazare’s fast. The president of the party, Prof Krishan Chand Ahuja said that their front was started to ensure that the movement of Anna does not fizzle out.

“We did not want that after Anna Hazare’s fast, the movement lags for want of leaders. While Congress was indulging in corruption in the city, the BJP was a mute spectator. The BJP did not raise its voice against corruption. Whether it was the booth allotment scam or the anomalies in the Mayoral elections, no action was taken,” said Ahuja.

CJM will be asking all its members to sign the pledge letters prepared by NGO Awaaz to make Chandigarh a corruption free city. The NGO has sent letters to all political parties urging the members to sign the pledge letter.

The members of the NGO claim that even BJP president Sanjay Tandon has assured that all his candidates will be signing the pledge letter. The candidates will be going to Nehru Park on Saturday for the purpose.

However, the vachan patra that was released by IAC members in the city, has failed to yield much response from the candidates. In fact just one candidate, Sudhir Kumar Dhawan, submitted the document with the nomination papers. If the signee fails to adhere to the clauses, the patra will be considered his/her resignation.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court, on Friday, directed Returning Officer, Election Commissioner, Chandigarh to decide a petition, alleging that a BJP candidate contesting Municipal Corporation elections has forged his caste certificate, within a week. The directions were passed on a petition demanding that BJP candidate Raj Kishore, contesting MC elections from ward 19, should not be allowed to contest MC elections. The petitioner alleged that Kishore has two different caste certificates while taking admission in Bachelors of Law (LLB) course from Punjab.

Panel probing May breakdown goes easy on Spanco

NAGPUR: Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray maybe sparring with anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare but the effect of his campaign is clear on the party. Deputy mayor and district party chief Shekhar Sawarbandhe said the party will give preference to candidates who are honest and have no criminal background for the NMC elections. Sawarbandhe, who himself has a post graduate degree, said that this time candidates must at least be a tenth class pass.

Sena has started preparations for civic polls. "Collective leadership and alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party will steer us to victory in civic election. A team of state unit recently visited the city and finalised the action plan for the polls. The party has started accepting forms from candidates," Sawarbandhe told TOI.

The ruling BJP-Shiv Sena are busy planning strategy and as is the Congress that has already held several meetings in the presence of state ministers and leaders in the city.

"We have a started mass communication programme. Our corporators and party leaders are working at ward levels to strengthen the network. There is no leadership crisis in the party. We are united and committed to retain power in NAGPUR municipal corporation," Sawarbandhe said.

In last civic polls, Sena had won from eight seats though it contest from 12. This time, the party is eyeing more seats, claimed the deputy mayor. The party has a strong base and committed voters in Nagpur, he said. "The response to the gatherings reflected the feelings of the masses. We are encouraged by the support and will continue our work ahead of the polls," he said.

The Congress and NCP's performance in both state and Centre has been dismal and the BJP-Shiv Sena has gained strength in city. The recent fuel hike will also help the alliance win votes, he added.

Interested candidates can collect the forms from the party office near Reshimbagh from 7 pm to 9 pm, he said, adding they will be accepted till November 15.

Digvijay Singh congratulates Anna Hazare on breaking his fast

NEW DELHI: Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh on Friday congratulated veteran social activist Anna Hazare on breaking his 19-day vow of silence.

"I congratulate Anna Hazare on breaking his fast," said Digvijay Singh, when asked that Hazare has finally come to Delhi and broken his fast.

Hazare broke his 'vow of silence' after paying tributes to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi at the Rajghat earlier in the day.

After breaking his vow of silence, 74-year-old anti-corruption crusader said his 'maun vrat' was against the corrupt system, and not against any particular party.

"After my indefinite fast, I had a lot of weakness. Mahatma Gandhi showed me the way. He said one must observe 'maun vrat'. My health has become absolutely fine after the vow of silence. I now have more inspiration to fight for Lokpal," he added.

Hazare began his 'maun vrat' on October 16 at Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra for peace of soul.

Responding to a question on the attempts made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers to attack him at the Mughalsarai Railway Station in Uttar Pradesh late on Thursday night, Digvijay Singh said that he was least bothered about it.

"I have already said that attacking me is RSS and BJP's plan 'D'. I am least bothered about it," he said.

Digvijay Singh was reportedly waiting for a Delhi-bound train at the Mughalsarai Railway Station when BJP party workers clashed with Congress workers and tried to enter the waiting room, where Singh was present.

Rahul Gandhi road shows to hit UP from Nov 1

NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi is likely to hit the campaign trail in Uttar Pradesh from November 1 with road shows and mass-contact programmes. The five-phase blitzkrieg would be the focus of the party's charge on Mayawati's turf where stakes for the April polls are high for the fortunes of Congress and its heir apparent.

The party is likely to target BSP and BJP while not being too harsh on SP. The sentiment of members at the campaign committee meeting on Wednesday suggested that the party would like to leave the door open for a post-poll tie-up. Congress will hold a meeting of candidates on November 16 to seek their views on campaign strategy while a sub-committee will decide on celebrities required for the campaign.

Sources said Rahul was unlikely to hold rallies but would touch voters through road travel and public contact programmes. Alongside, Congress would carpet bomb UP though press conferences of Union ministers who would give details of central funds to highlight the Mayawati regime's failure.

The Congress campaign comes when Mayawati has already pitched her trusted lieutenants on field duty and SP's Akhilesh Yadav is on his 'kranti rath' to mobilize voters. The four-way opposition split with Congress and BJP as marginal forces has raised prospects of a keen battle. Congress is trying for alliance with RLD in western UP.

That Congress fancies its chances in the state where it was reduced to an also-ran post-Babri was evident when committee chairman Sriprakash Jaiswal underlined that the party had started preparations early this time unlike in the past when campaign panels were announced after poll notification.

Rahul's mission 2012 has turned into a challenge in the wake of Anna Hazare's anti-Congress campaign.

Members stressed on the Muslim factor. Zafar Naqvi pointed to the need to spread awareness about central schemes targetting minorities. P L Punia said UP incharge Digvijay Singh's attacks on Hazare's RSS links were pleasing Muslims but the latter would vote on issues and demanded action on Rangnath Misra commission report seeking quota for Muslims on par with SCs.

Raj Babbar argued the need for Congress to tell people that "other parties" had ruled UP for 20 years and were thus responsible for its slide.

Punia stressed on the need for game-changers like MGNREGA and loan waiver, and demanded food law to be brought in the winter session. He said Hazare should have been neutralized in monsoon session itself with quick action on Lokpal bill.

It is natural for the opposition to build an anti-corruption plank against UPA

Given the slew of mega corruption charges against the UPA regime, it is natural for the Opposition to try and build an anti-corruption plank. Such anti-corruption politics always runs on the steam of presumed popular anger against the rulers and the credibility of the proponents.

So, as L K Advani launches a nationwide yatra against corruption from Jai Prakash Narayan's birthplace in Bihar and Anna Hazare, his anti-Congress crusade from Bhajan Lal's Hisar in Haryana, both protagonists are as much on a test of credibility as the leadership of the Congress/UPA regime.

Evidently, the driving force for both Advani and Anna Hazare, Patel-II and Gandhi-II to their respective, politically-converging supporters, is their opposition to the Congress. Both LK and Anna also have the strategic understanding that, to take on the Congress and its rainbow political constituency, they need a plank that can unite all anti-Congress formations.

They think the anti-corruption war cry can remove all fault lines within the larger Opposition. So, notwithstanding his admiration for JP, LK is actually dreaming to become an aged version of VP Singh just as the projected Gandhi-II is trying to be a modern-day JP.

Knockoffs and recycled themes are admission to lack ofnew ideas when confronted with a radically-changed post-Mandal/Babri Masjid Indian politics. Here, the socially-empowered and demanding sections, aspiring youth and upwardly-mobile middle class call the shots. That is why the NDA's shrill 2004 and 2009 campaigns without credible leadership, plank or partners took a sound beating.

That is why the likes of Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi, products of the JP movement, now try, successfully, to master the new grammar of politics and governance to capture the imagination of the new voters but don't mind playing gracious hosts to L K Advani at JP's village, after his own party's chief minister ambushed his plan for a Gujarat yatra launch.

LK shows determination, at age 84, to stand up to the RSS bosses and his own party colleagues who have been trying every trick to force him to declare he is not a prime ministerial candidate any more. Just as he never took back his take on Jinnah, despite collective battering from his own political family, Advani is doggedly holding on, thinking he will be the PM if UPA-II collapses midway.

His dream exposes the split within the Parivar right when his yatra hopes to unite the anti-Congress forces! We will revisit Advani's month-long yatra if it survives the internal shelling. Till then, over to a more colourful Anna act at Hisar.

One should welcome Anna's decision, finally, to play an active and open role in electoral politics. Because that helps us get a better view of a disconnect in what he preaches and what he practices. Anna always asks people to answer his questions in black and white. "Are you for or against corruption?" "Are you for or against Jan Lokpal?" "Are you against or for the Congress?"

Hisar by-election will give new direction to politics: Gadkari

BJP president Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said the October 13 by-election for the Hisar Lok Sabha seat in Haryana was historic, mentioning social activist Anna Hazare's onslaught on the Congress on the poll pitch over the lokpal bill.

"The result of this election will give a new direction to the politics at the Centre and state," he said, addressing a campaign rally for the Bharatiya Janata Party-Haryana Janhit Congress alliance candidate, Kuldeep Bishnoi.
"We (BJP) are fully committed to the Jan Lokpal bill prepared by Anna Hazare and his team. You (voters) have to ensure that you support it too," he said. Attacking the Congress, he said the high inflation and scams worth several crores were its legacy. He said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh claimed ignorance about every wrong deed done by his cabinet and should resign.

Leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, said, "The UPA lost its popularity within one year of its rule due to unprecedented inflation and lost its credibility within two years due to large-scale corruption."

Earlier, in Dehradun, Gadkari accused the UPA government of indulging in "indiscriminate loot" and advised the PM to "retire, or, go on a pilgrimage" for showing "ignorance about the deeds of his scam-tainted ministerial colleagues".

Gadkari inaugurated the BJP's workers' convention, the party's first in Uttarakhand ahead of the assembly elections due in February.

RSS to actively support Advani's yatra against corruption

NEW DELHI: RSS on Wednesday said its volunteers will "actively participate" in BJP veteran L K Advani's proposed yatra against corruption.

"The Sangh has already asked its Swayamsewaks (volunteers) to actively support all initiatives and actions against corruption. They had earlier extended support to Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare in their campaigns against corruption. Similarly, Swayamsewaks will actively participate in L K Advani's campaign," RSS leader Ram Madhav told reporters here.

He was asked to comment on the meeting between Advani and RSS Sar Sanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat in Nagpur this morning. Madhav said Advani spent some time at the RSS headquarters and discussed the situation in the country as also his proposed yatra against corruption.

Advani earlier claimed he had met RSS chief Bhagwat to seek his blessings for the yatra.

"I met the RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat and asked for his blessings. He gave me his full support and blessings and wished me all the best for the yatra," Advani said.

Making light of his meeting with Bhagwat, Advani said he keeps talking to him "informally". "We meet whoever can make a big contribution to the yatra," he said.

He also met BJP President Nitin Gadkari recuperating after undergoing a bariatric operation on September 12 to enquire about his health.

"The BJP President will come to Delhi on September 24. I have asked him to make the announcement about the yatra. By then, the plan details will also be chalked out," Advani said.

Giving details of his proposed Yatra, Advani said it is likely to start on October 11, the birth anniversary of veteran socialist leader Jaiprakash Narayan from his village Sitabdiara in Bihar's Saran district.

Advani said he was prompted to take out the yatra due to the 2008 cash-for-vote scam and the washout of the Winter Session of Parliament in 2010 over opposition demand for a JPC probe into the 2-G spectrum scam

A generation has not seen Congress rule in UP-Bihar

Can you guess the dilemma of the Congress candidates in Uttar Pradesh nowadays? Not Anna Hazare. Not his campaign against corruption. Instead, it’s the disturbing realisation that a generation has grown up in this politically crucial state without experiencing a Congress rule.

The last when the Congress was in power in Uttar Pradesh was in the late 1980’s. Those born even in mid 1980’s have no clue how the Congress rule was like – better or worse than the political regimes they have grown up with.

Little wonder they mention names of Mayawati, Mulayam Singh Yadav every time discussion on future chief minister crops up. Even the BJP rule they don’t seem to remember as the party changed the leadership thrice – Kalyan Singh, Ram Prakash Gupta and Rajnath Singh. Yes, they do remember the divisive politics of mandal and mandir though.

And even as chief minister Mayawati is busy despatching letters to the prime minister demanding quota for minorities, economically backward upper castes and now Jats, quota in admissions in educational institutions as well as in jobs appeared to be the major concern of youth during campus adda that HT had organised across UP and Uttarakhand. Our idea was primarily to gauge the mood of the youth, how far it is gearing up to cast its vote and what are the poll issues that concern them.

Imagine Congress leaders expect that generation to vote for the party that had not only messed up Anna’s anti-corruption movement but is also favouring extension of quota on religious grounds. We thought quota was meant for socially and economically backward classes irrespective of the faith they follow.

The scenario has been no different in neighbouring Bihar.

I am sure this is not going to be music to Congress ears. With elections not very far off, the Congress will have to do some miracle to break the 20-odd year long vanvas. There is growing feeling that the party trump card Rahul Gandhi can’t ride them to victory. Some concerned voices from the Congress are already suggesting an extensive campaign by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in whom people find the political acumen of her grandmother Indira Gandhi besides the looks. To believe that there was an undercurrent in its favour as people were fed up with the ‘misrule’ of regional parties would be living in fool’s paradise.

A Congress leader in Agra, planning to contest election from an urban seat, confided the other day, “What should we do? People who know us are polite. But they do convey their anger over the soaring prices while reminding us about the scams tumbling out of Congress cupboards.”

The fact is, Anna is not merely haunting the Congress leaders, all other parties stand scared. At a dinner meet recently, politicians virtually rained abuses on Anna while insisting that caste alone would be the driving force in the coming elections. Then why worry?

As the election scenario perks up in the states heading for polls in early 2012, the picture in Uttar Pradesh continues to be hazy, more so about the Congress prospects.

Cong takes big hit as BJP gains from Anna fast: Poll

NEW DELHI: Anna Hazare's anti-corruption agitation and the UPA government's poor handling of it have cost the Congress dear, shaving off one-third of its support while boosting the popularity of its principal rival BJP.

An opinion poll conducted by market researcher Nielsen for a TV channel has found that BJP has gained a 12-point lead since May, when it lagged behind the Congress. Nielsen, which gauged support for different parties then, says Anna's agitation and the government's messy response have upended the pecking order.

Support for the Congress has dropped steeply from 30% to 20%. In contrast the BJP, which was stuck with a low endorsement of 23% in May, stands to get 32% of the vote if elections are held now, the opinion poll says. It also suggests that BJP has overtaken Congress in popularity across India, barring the south. In May, Congress had led the BJP in all regions, save the west.

The pollster claims that 11% of those who voted for Congress in the 2007 Lok Sabha elections have moved away from the party. In comparison, only 5% of those who supported BJP the last time have switched their preference. Even in the south, support for Congress is at a low 20%. BJP has a limited presence in the region. The Nielsen poll is based on responses of 9,000 people across 28 cities and was held after Anna ended his fast on August 28.

The Anna Hazare episode fallout has mauled the image of UPA biggies, sparing not even Rahul Gandhi, an opinion poll conducted by market researcher Nielsen for a TV channel has found. In an Anna-Rahul face off, it says, the Gandhi family scion would be routed, polling a meagre 17% against 78% for the veteran protester from Ralegan Siddhi.

Significantly, the survey shows that Rahul would trail the Gandhian even in the 18-25 age group. Some 54% of the respondents believe this is not the right time for the Congress general secretary to take over the reins from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Nielsen's projections for Union ministers Kapil Sibal and P Chidamabram, the main handlers of Anna's agitation, are similarly dire. Anna's associate Kiran Bedi would win a landslide if pitted against Sibal, picking 74% of the votes. The HRD minister would manage a mere 14%.

Chidambaram, the opinion poll says, would be trounced if fielded against Anna's close associate Arvind Kejriwal. About 58% of the respondents say they would support Kejriwal - Anna's Arjun -against 24% who stand by the Union home minister.

Nielsen argues that the erosion of Congress's support has to do with how it responded to Anna's challenge, as BJP cannot boast of a higher integrity quotient with 75% of respondents holding all political parties equally responsible for corruption. More than 50% feel a Lokpal will be a strong step to combat corruption.

The findings show the government misread the extent of Anna's s support and then compounded matters by arresting him. About 54% of those polled accused the government of messing up things. The ire seems to be directed more against the ministers who were tasked with troubleshooting. About 64% of the respondents criticized the crisis managers. The Prime Minister has been absolved of the blame for the bungle, the findings say.

The respondents also said Sonia Gandhi could not have handled the situation better. They voted for Anna's tactics, derided in many quarters as muscle flexing and blackmail. A thumping 82% of those asked favoured the ways of the Gandhian, with a minuscule 12% disagreeing.

A healthy 56% supported the early enactment of the Lokpal law. Opinion, however, seemed divided on whether the ombudsman would cleanse the country of corruption in the next five years. About 53% felt that the creation of Lokpal would eradicate corruption, but 40% held a dim view of its effectiveness. Almost half the respondents felt that corruption had seeped into the national fibre, although 46% said that unity can help get rid of the scourge.

‘Anna has no RSS, BJP link... he’s non-political’

Union Science & Technology Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh played a key role in defusing the emerging political crisis caused by Anna Hazare’s fast. It was his direct contact with Hazare that proved to be the clincher in breaking the standoff between the government and Team Anna. The former Maharashtra CM was in a relaxed mood on Sunday as he talked about the lessons learnt and challenges ahead in an interview with D K Singh.

Anna Hazare has said it is only half-victory and he now plans to go a countrywide tour. What do you think are the challenges ahead for the government?

Whatever we have promised, we have to deliver. Unless the whole process (passage of Lokpal Bill) is complete, he will follow it, track it and get things done. I know him for a long time. He is a taskmaster. He will not give up. He got three-four laws enacted in Maharashtra. All his demands are in public interest and so nobody can say no to him. So far as his three demands are concerned, there is unanimity over this. How to put them in the constitutional framework is the job of the Standing Committee and the Parliament.

But his nationwide tour is sure to have wide ramifications for your party and the government. What will be your course of action?

He has got overwhelming support from all over the country. He will at least go to those people to thank them. He has no political ambitions. He is a simple person. In Maharashtra Assembly elections earlier, he identified some honest and good candidates irrespective of their party affiliations and supported them. But he is not into politics and elections. I don’t know about this time though. He has always been a social worker. He has no personal agenda. His movement is positive.

But your party called him a ‘mukhauta’ of the RSS and the BJP. Do you agree?

He has absolutely no connection with the RSS or the BJP. He is a secular person with Gandhian thoughts and values. Similarly, he is neither pro or anti-Congress. He is a non-political person who will fight against whoever is in power.

How and when were you roped in to hold a dialogue with him and what transpired in your first meeting with him?

The day the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the entire Lok Sabha appealed to him to break his fast, I thought it was perhaps time for me to meet him and inquire about his health. So, I informed the Finance Minister, who approved it. When I met him (Anna), I told him that it was time for him to break his fast as he was at his peak and the entire country was looking up to him. I told him, ‘you not only have to get a strong Lokpal Bill passed, but have to also see how it is implemented’. He said he had three demands, which were very important because the common man is suffering. He said if the government discussed these demands in Parliament, he would break his fast.

He did not want any resolution or voting...

No, he said that the moment discussions start in Parliament, he would break his fast. I then briefed the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister about this. They asked me whether I was sure that he would break his fast if the demands are met. The rest are matters of details.

So, when did this demand for a resolution and voting come up? What was your biggest worry yesterday?

The demand for voting came from his team later. At around 4 pm yesterday, he called me up and said that somebody had told him that no resolution was coming, nor any voting happening. I then explained to him that if there was a unanimous resolution, voting was not required. I said whatever we have promised, we will deliver. He was satisfied. I told him that it was the question of a Maharashtrian’s (Deshmukh’s) prestige and there should not be any last-minute problems. It was not to be because we have such a long association.

That brings us to the role of his team. Yesterday, many MPs alleged that Anna was being misled by those surrounding him. Did you also feel the same way?

I don’t know. I always met him and spoke to him one-on-one. It was only yesterday when I went to deliver the Prime Minister’s letter that he introduced me to Arvind Kejriwal and others.

So, you didn’t feel that he was being misled by his team members...

He has a mind of his own and I am sure he must have learnt a lot of things this time. Yesterday, when I handed over the PM’s letter and he read it, he said that he would break his fast and I should go to the dais and read out the letter. It was only after he had already taken a decision that he called the others to inform them. I was always dealing with him directly and was in touch with him on phone.

Anna has already talked of the next stage of his fight over demands like right to recall, right to reject, etc. How will you meet this challenge?

Things like electoral reforms are already under consideration of our government. So, there is no question of any challenges.

What have you learnt from the entire episode? Do you think the government mishandled Anna’s agitation starting from his arrest on August 16?

I cannot comment on this because I was not a part of the decision-making process.

Hazare’s protest awakened the non-political class: BJP

BJP on Sunday hailed Anna Hazare’s agitation as one which had awakened even the non-political class and insisted that such movements also have a place in democracy as they serve to change the status quo.

BJP felt Mr. Anna Hazare’s agitation had achieved much for democracy and empowerment of the people.

“This is a victory of democracy. It was a convergence of agitation on the street and debate in Parliament. People are feeling empowered after this which is a good thing,” BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told PTI.

He maintained that this has strengthened the fight against corruption that his party is waging.

“We also feel elated as awakening of people by this agitation will lead to the non-political class also joining the political process. As Arun Jaitley said in Parliament, this movement was against the status quo. People want change,” Mr. Javadekar said.

After some initial reluctance, BJP had come out in open support of Mr. Hazare when he began his fast. It even went to the extent of fully endorsing the Jan Lokpal Bill.

“People are emboldened now as more and more skeletons are coming out of the cupboard of this government,” Mr. Javadekar said.

Asked if this was truly a victory of Team Anna as several of its demands like keeping Prime Minister under ambit of Lokpal, passing the Bill in this session, inclusion of higher judiciary and so on have not been met, BJP maintained that this agitation was about the larger issue of having a strong and effective Lokpal.

“Hazare has succeeded in sending a message to the people and brought them out on the streets. The issue here was also the disgust of the people against corruption. Such non-political agitations also have a place in democracy,” Mr. Javadekar said.

Asked if Mr. Hazare’s agitation had challenged the supremacy of Parliament, Mr. Javadekar said speaking or going against the established norms is not against democracy.

“Such aberrations happen in a democracy but one should look at the solutions it leads to. The movement also showed reasonableness. Restraint and reasonableness was shown by the middle class as well as the politicians and this is the beauty and strength of democracy,” Mr. Javadekar said.

BJP congratulates Anna, says will support anti-graft fight

BJP on Sunday congratulated Anna Hazare for his successful agitation and assured him that the party would continue to extend support to his fight to make India corruption-free.

“I am glad that Anna Hazare has ended his 12-day fast this morning. The entire nation has heaved a sigh of relief. Thank God Anna’s life has been saved. We pray for his long and healthy life so that he can accomplish his dream of a corruption free India,” BJP president Nitin Gadkari said in a statement.

He described this as a “historic moment” for everybody who has been in the forefront of the crusade against corruption.

“I on my personal behalf and on behalf of the BJP congratulate Anna on his successful campaign against corruption. I join the countrymen in rejoicing Anna’s victory. It is a victory of democracy. People of India have won a decisive battle against corruption through peaceful means,” Mr. Gadkari said.

However, he maintained that the battle against corruption is not over yet and the fight shall continue.

“The monster of corruption is not yet completely eliminated. It can raise its ugly head again. We have to root it out from our system. Our campaign against corruption will continue till we achieve our goal,” Mr. Gadkari said.

Mr. Gadkari assured Mr. Hazare of BJP’s continued support, saying the party will stand solidly behind him in his “selfless endeavour to transform the society”.

“We promise you that the BJP will always be ready to rally around you and march forward under your leadership should the need arise any time in future to fulfil your dream of a truly democratic corruption free India,” Mr. Gadkari said.

The BJP president saluted Mr. Hazare for his deeds.

“Anna, rest assured, we will not let you down in and outside Parliament. Nor will we allow the government to betray you further,” Mr. Gadkari said.

The BJP president hit out at the government, saying it had no plans of agreeing to the demands raised by Mr. Hazare and it did so finally under pressure from the opposition.

“There was no intention of fulfilling Anna’s demands and the issue was being diverted to different topics by Congress politicians. We in BJP supported Anna. But even after that attempts were made to spread rumours that BJP was trying to avoid voting on the resolution,” Mr. Gadkari said.

He claimed that it was only after BJP agreed to vote and support a resolution to clarify its stand on the issue that the Congress was forced to agree and move ahead.

“I don’t want to comment on the politics of it. Whatever has happened has happened. Anna’s health is fine. The country needs Anna,” Mr. Gadkari said.

Anna effect: Oppn targets Govt in LS on corruption issue

Anna Hazare's campaign loomed large over the Lok Sabha today with the Opposition targeting the government over the issue of corruption, warning that the country was sitting on a volcano which could explode if the political class failed to get its act together.

Singling out the Congress-led coalition for attack, the opposition wanted the government to realise that whatever was happening at Ramlila Maidan showed that people have become alert and angry over corruption.

Leading the Opposition charge, senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi dubbed the coalition as the "government of the corrupt, by the corrupt and for the corrupt", alleging that the government has "born out of sin" of the cash-for-vote scam of 2008.

Referring to the series of scandals, Joshi told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was present during the special discussion on corruption, "I am not ready to agree that you did it (allowed corruption) deliberately. But it shows how much have you been misguided...Why do you hesitate in identifying the corrupt? When you try, your ministers try to cover up".

"So, you should first accept that mistakes have been committed and then take corrective measures ... so that the faith of the people on the parliamentary system is restored", Joshi said.

Agreeing that there was corruption in the country in various walks of life, Congress member K S Rao said it was because of "guts" and "courage" of the Prime Minister and his government that a Minister and an MP, both belonging to a coalition partner, have been sent to Tihar Jail even though there was a risk of losing power.

Questioning whether BJP had done anything like that during its rule, Rao attacked them for indulging in propaganda saying it was affecting the image of the country.

He had a dig at Joshi saying his remark that the government was "born out of corruption" meant that the graft during the NDA rule brought the Congress to power in 2004.

The debate saw a clash between Joshi and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal who accused the BJP leader of talking about an issue which was under his consideration as the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

"This a clear breach of privilege. I too am ready to face privilege in the PAC and I will fight it out," an agitated Bansal said when Joshi raised issues relating to the 2G spectrum allocation scam which the PAC was probing.
The spat between the two leaders also saw heated exchanges between Congress and Opposition members.
Joshi referred to the alleged KG Basin scam, saying gas prices were increased domestically to benefit RIL, even when there was no increase in the global prices.

He quoted reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the scam and alleged a "nexus" between private firms and officials of the departments of petroleum and hydrocarbon.

The BJP leader said the government "did not act at all" on issues relating to corruption despite media reports and letters written by several MPs and others to the government on the matter.

He demanded that all those guilty, including corporates, should be punished. "The government is helping the corporates at the cost of the poor," he said in the presence of the Prime Minister.

Maintaining that rupees thousands of crore had been stashed away in foreign banks, the BJP leader said if this amount was recovered, then all socially-important schemes would be implemented in the next four-five years.
Referring to a report of the UNDP, Joshi said "corruption is a stimulus for FDI in circumventing (taxation) laws" and warned that it had been empirically proved that higher FDI led to heightened corruption.

Asking the Prime Minister "not to make any cosmetic changes" but take holistic steps to tackle corruption, he said, "If you take such initiatives, people's faith in this institution (Parliament) will be restored."
The BJP leader referred to Singh's statement that there was "no magic wand" to fight graft and said "we know there are no magic wands. But there are economic and political wands which can be used for this purpose."
As the Prime Minister smiled at his remarks, Joshi said "today the House is extremely fortunate to see you smile".

Referring to Hazare's agitation, Rao said the Prime Minister too is keen on tackling corruption and that was the reason for involving five members of the civil society in drafting of the Lokpal Bill although it is the prerogative of Parliament.

Criticising Hazare's anti-corruption movement, the Congress member said demonstrations could be held but if one person demands that all his demands should be accepted, then what is the need for elections.
BJP Deputy Leader Gopinath Munde raised objections over the attack on Hazare, saying it was not fair to doubt civil society's integrity, particularly when they had been involved by the government in drafting the Lokpal Bill.

Rao said the government had taken a number of initiatives to fight corruption which include the recommendations of a Group of Ministers (GoM) and proposed legislations like Judicial Accountability Bill and Whistle Blowers Bill.

"If a Lokpal is created, what will be its accountability," he posed.

Talking about the Prime Minister's "courage" in fighting corruption, Rao noted that Singh had volunteered to appear before the Parliament's Public Accounts Committee although there is no provision for calling even a minister.

"You find faults with the government's functioning when there are mistakes, that is your duty. But don't find fault for wrong reasons," he told BJP members.

"There have been mistakes on this side, there have been mistakes on that side. I don't blame you," he told the Opposition.

Taking a dig at BJP, Rao asked how long it had taken for it to remove "a particular person" from government in Karnataka. This led to an uproar from Opposition benches.

He also said that it was because of the UPA government's guts that CBI was allowed to carry out raids in Congress-ruled Andhra Pradesh, "knowing well that it could affect stability of the government there".