Former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde, a core team member of Team Anna, has said he is opposed to the idea of Team Anna forming a political party.
Justice Hegde told Deccan Chronicle, “I will not enter politics. If Anna has decided to form a political party, I won’t oppose that. I have expressed my views to the core committee. But then the decision will be what the majority of the team takes.”
But making it clear that entering politics is not a good move, he said, “We are not ready for elections. Team Anna doesn’t have all the expertise.”
He still had doubts whether Team Anna had decided to float a political party or it was a media creation. “I don’t know if really Anna is planning to form a party, or is it the media. But if it’s Anna, though I don’t support the decision, I will support Anna.”
“I don't support Anna Hazare and his team starting a political party. But I have heard Anna speaking on TV that he is neither forming a party nor contesting elections, but may support people wanting to contest elections whom he knows will help the cause of fight against corruption and bring about political change in the country,” he said.
Mr Hegde said Anna's identity is not of a politician but one who wants to bring about social change. “I think he should continue to be like that. Anna is not meant for forming a political party,” said and added he did not have any reservations if Team Anna contests elections, provided they don’t seek support from political parties involved in corruption.