Team Anna divided on fast?

Jul 25, 2012 |

: Age Correspondent

New Delhi

A day ahead of the indefinite fast of the team Anna, social activist Anna Hazare and his associates spoke in different voices on the objective of their protest at Jantar Mantar from Wednesday. While Mr Hazare stated that the fast for the Lokpal Bill, his key aides Arvind Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan made it clear that the indefinite fast is for their three demands, including constitution of a special investigation team (SIT) into allegations of corruption against 15 Union ministers.
Mr Hazare also clarified that he would not be sitting on fast from Wednesday as stated earlier but served ultimatum that he would wait for four days to see the response of the government. Mr Kejriwal, RTI activist Manish Sisodia and Gopal Rail would be sitting on indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar from Wednesday, while Mr Hazare would be present at the venue.
“The government has been betraying us and if they do not heed to our demand in four days I too will join the indefinite fast,” said Mr Hazare.
Mr Bhushan stated that their three demands are — constitution of an SIT against allegations of corruption against 15 Union ministers, constitution of fast track courts to expedite trials of MPs facing criminal charges and speedy trials of presidents of political parties facing CBI probe into cases of disproportionate assets (DA).
Mr Hazare had earlier through a video message had called for a “jail bharo” agitation if the government does not take action on the demand.
However, team Anna faced tough moments to explain that they were united in their demands, with Mr Hazare stating that had Lokpal been there the ministers facing allegations of corruption would have been in jail. Mr Kejriwal said that there was need to cleanse the system, including the Parliament, of the tainted people. He said that the country would not get a Lokpal if the corrupt ministers did not go to jail.
Mr Bhushan stated that the country is headed for “civil war” and attributed the recent violence in Maruti to widespread corruption.
Mr Hazare also accused the government of coming up with a fake CD to malign the movement and sought a probe into the issue.

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