Anna to campaign against Congress if Lokpal bill not passed

Social activist Anna Hazare (centre) with his other team members (from left) Kiran Bedi, 

Arvind Kejriwal, Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan during a media conference at 

Maharashtra Sadan, in New Delhi on Friday. Mr. Hazare said there was no need to bring 

separate bills on citizens charter as well as on whistle blowers

In a U—turn, Anna Hazare on Friday declared that he will campaign against Congress in five States where Assembly elections are due next year if the UPA government fails to get the Jan Lokpal Bill passed in the Winter Session of Parliament.

“I will ask people what is the benefit of re—electing Congressmen. Let them say whatever they want...I will go and ask them not to vote for Congress (if the Bill is not passed),” Hazare told reporters shortly after breaking his 'vow of silence’ at Rajghat early in the morning.

The 74—year—old activist said he had earlier decided not to take the names of any party in the coming Assembly elections.

“Seeing that the government was taking the issue lightly and cutting the Jan Lokpal into several pieces making it weak”, he said, he decided to change his stand and campaign against Congress.

“We will go to the five poll—bound states after the Winter Session if the bill is not passed. During election time, I myself will tour these states and tell people the intentions of the government was not right,” he said.

UPA trying to "weaken" Lokpal

Mr. Hazare, who questioned the “intentions” of the government in getting the Bill passed, alleged that the UPA was trying to weaken the proposed law by “cutting it into several pieces” as he found fault with separate public grievances redressal and whistle—blowers bills.

But, he said, he will not campaign for BJP as there is no difference between the two.

He said the Centre should follow the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill but what he was seeing was just the opposite.

He said he would felicitate state Chief Minister B.C. Khanduri at a public function.

Mr. Hazare said if the Bill is not passed, he will fast for three days from the last day of Winter Session in Delhi and then will go for a nation—wide tour.

He reminded the Congress that its candidate lost his deposit in Hisar Lok Sabha bypolls due to his team’s campaign against it.

“We did not want to destabilise the government but wanted to send a strong message that till a strong Lokpal Bill is enacted, our agitation will continue,” he said.


Letter to PM

Asked about his letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh threatening to relaunch his agitation if the Bill was not passed, he said it was not a “threat” but just a “reminder” to the government about the passage of Bill.

“It was not a threat. All his ministers are indulging in defaming us. I thought they might have forgotten about Lokpal Bill. It was a gentle reminder,” he said.

Accusing the government of trying to “weaken” the Jan Lokpal Bill, Mr. Hazare said that there was no need for bring separate bills on citizens charter as well as on whistle blowers.

“Government’s intention is doubtful...The government is trying to weaken the Jan Lokpal Bill by cutting it into pieces. All these provisions were there in the Jan Lokpal Bill,” he said.

Mr. Hazare said he has no problems in a separate Judicial Accountability Bill but what the government has offered is a “very weak one” which does not mention about corruption in judiciary.

“What is the need for separate laws when everything is being dealt with by Jan Lokpal Bill?” he asked.

Congress vs. BJP

Asked if he will campaign for or against BJP, he said, “I won’t campaign for BJP. There is no difference between BJP and Congress as one is a graduate in corruption while the other has a doctorate,” he said.

Asked about his plans if the government does not pass the bill in the Winter Session, Mr. Hazare said he will hold a one—day dharna in all states he goes and then continue the campaign.

Team Anna

On the allegations against Team Anna members like Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, he said people throw stones at trees which bear fruits. “Let government conduct an investigation. Why are they levelling allegations?” he said.

When asked about Congress leader Digvijay Singh’s allegations against, he said if he comments on him, then he will also have to go to hospital, a pun on his earlier reference that Mr. Singh should be referred to a mental hospital for his remarks against him.

Queried about Prashant Bhushan’s controversial comments on Kashmir, Mr. Hazare said, “that is over. You (media) always need masala.”

On restructuring of the core committee, Mr. Hazare said the committee will be reconstituted by giving representation to people from all religion, region, caste and creed and that people with integrity will be included in it.

He said this will be done after a Constitution is written for the anti—corruption movement.

On allegations against some of the Team Anna members, he said “there could be some drawback but that does not mean corruption.”

Mr. Hazare said his maun—vrat was not against any person or party but in the interest of his own health.

Anna Hazare may end vow of silence in three, four days

NEW DELHI: Anna Hazare Monday said he plans to end his vow of silence in three to four days and would undertake a tour of the country to meet those who supported his anti-corruption campaign.

Hazare, 74, said in his blog that the thought of giving up his 'maun vrat' was playing on his mind.

"In the next three to four days I might end my 'maun vrat'. Crores of people have turned to reading my blog all over the world hence I think it would only seem appropriate that I end my 'maun' and hold open discussions with them," he said.

The crusader said that he would "embark on a tour and meet all those young men and women, farmers, working class, school children from all over the world who were a part of this movement against corruption and at times even went to jail for the sake of the cause".

"I have this strong urge from within to meet and talk to all these people who bravely faced the hazards. Hence I would like to end my 'maun' and start off touring different states and hold discussions with them," said Hazare, who has been campaigning for a strong Lokpal to check corruption in high places.

He has led two successful anti-corruption campaigns in New Delhi in April and August, resulting in the government agreeing to his demand for a strong Lokpal bill and passing it in the winter session of parliament.

"Especially I hope to gather as much energy from these young men and women as I had during my previous movement," Hazare said, adding that the "energy" will be utilised to get the Jan Lokpal bill, Team Anna's version of the proposed ombudsman legislation, passed in parliament.

He also said he would continue his "struggle" for 'Right to Reject' the candidates in the poll fray and 'Right to Recall' those elected.

"All my countrymen will be connected with me directly in this struggle is my belief," Hazare said.

Anna supporters slam Diggy's statement

LUCKNOW: Anna Hazare might be observing a 'maun vrat' (vow of silence), but his supporters slammed Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh for making alleged 'defamatory propaganda' against anti-graft crusader.

"Singh is trying to prove that the RSS is behind Anna's anti-corruption movement. He has produced a RSS functionary's letter in support of his allegations. But, is he having any proof to show that Anna asked RSS for support," said Ishita Singh, a student. She also said that Singh accused Anna of observing maun vrat to avoid uncomfortable questions on Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, who is in jail on charges of corruption. But, Singh forgot that Team Anna member Justice Santosh Hegde, former Karnataka Lokayukta, is responsible for Yeddyurappa condition.

Blaming a section of the media, Arif Siddiqui, a teacher, said, "A section of media is prominently showing the statements of RSS leaders on supporting Anna's movement, but has played down the report on Muslims in Lucknow praying for Anna's success in the last Friday prayer before Eid," he said.

"Interestingly, Singh has also contradicted his own statements. He says that 20% of the people in the Ramlila ground, where Anna observed fast, were RSS members. This means that 80% people were from other background. Hence Anna has support of all sections of the society," he added.

Shailendra Pandey, a research scholar, said Singh has accused Anna of playing in the hands of communal forces. "Delhi Police, which is under the Centre killed two terrorists in 2008 Batla House encounter. Mohan Chandra Sharma, a police officer, killed in the encounter, was honoured with Ashok Chakra by the UPA government. But Singh says that encounter was fake. Either Singh is right or the government. It raises doubts that the government is appeasing Hindus through encounters and Singh is playing politics with Muslims by declaring it fake," he said.

Social activist Manjul Upadhayaya said, "Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal's suspicion is correct that attack on another Team member Prashant Bhushan on his 'plebiscite in Kashmir' remark was a conspiracy of people who have been hit by anti-graft campaign. Bhushan only reiterated what India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru said in 1947. Attack on Bhushan took place three weeks after issuing statement. Kejriwal has been threatened. Protests are being held outside his house accusing him of not declaring record of public donation received for campaign."

Jagriti Singh a housewife, said, "Anna fought against corruption in Maharashtra both under BJP and Congress regimes. But Singh accuses Anna of saying nothing against BJP. Also, Singh has said that Anna has done nothing about corruption in UP. My question to Singh is why CBI, which is under the Centre government, has not taken action against UP chief minister Mayawati and former chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav on charges of corruption." She also alleged that the Congress-led UPA government has been misusing CBI to arm twist political rivals.

Bina Shukla, a private executive, was of the view that UP chief minister Mayawati is better than Congress. She has taken action against six ministers after their names figured in corruption and were indicted by the Lokayukta. Even if it is a posturing, at least Maya has done something, whereas Delhi chief minister did nothing against the ministers indicted by Lokayukta. According to Anshumali Sharma, a Team Anna member in Lucknow, Rahul Gandhi is reaching out to Anna, which shows that Congress is afraid of anti-corruption movement, which led to embarrassing defeat of its candidate in by-elections across the country.

Anna Hazare begins 'maun vrat' at Ralegan Siddhi

RALEGAN SIDDHI: As controversy dogs his team, Anna Hazare went into silence mode today beginning an indefinite 'maun vrat' at his native village in Maharashtra for 'atma shanti' (peace of soul).

"Anna began his indefinite maun vrat (vow of silence) this morning. He is sitting under a banyan tree near the Padmavati temple here," Hazare's close aide Datta Awari told told PTI.

Awari earlier in the day said the 74-year-old anti-corruption crusader's vow of silence is for one week. He later clarified that it will be for an indefinite period.

'India against Corruption' activist Shyam Asava yesterday said Hazare will be observing 'maun vrat for one week.

Hazare will stay in a 'kuti' (hut) during the maun vrat, Awari said.

Hazare had been continuously interacting with people after ending his 13-day-old fast for a strong Lokpal bill in Delhi on August 28 and this has put a lot of strain on him, Awari said.

Suresh Pathare, another associate of the social activist, said Hazare is not meeting anyone at present.

More than 1,000 people have visited Padamavati temple since he began his 'maun vrat', he said.

The vow of silence came close on the heels of the recent attack and controversy involving key 'Anna Team' member Prashant Bhushan, who had advocated plebiscite in Kashmir.

Hazare subsequently distanced himself from Bhushan's statement saying he did not agree with it and that it was the senior lawyer's personal view.

Notwithstanding Hazare's clarification on the status of Bhushan in his anti-corruption struggle, serious differences appeared to have cropped up in Team Anna on some important issues facing his campaign.

Hazare's latest position that the Core Committee of his campaign will meet and decide whether Bhushan will continue in his team or not has surprised the other Team Anna members, sources said today.

In two days, Hazare has changed his stand on Bhushan, who is in the eye of the storm for his advocacy of plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir, thrice, much to the dismay of some of his team members.