Anna's party call puzzles supporters

Announcement generates high intensity debate in political circles in the country

On Monday, some TV channels aired Anna’s interview on his next phase of action in support of a strong Lokpal Bill, and Anna surprised his supporters by floating an idea of a new party of “clean and like-minded individuals from every political party”. Though he made it clear that he would not lead such a party, he declared his support to such an outfit.

“There is nothing wrong with Anna’s idea. Do not go by media interpretation, he is not talking of forming any political party or front,” Team Anna senior member Manish Sisodia told Deccan Herald.

He spiked the interpretation that Hazare was talking of a non-Congress, non-BJP front. He ruled out any role of India Against Corruption forming such a front. However, sources within the anti-graft movement expressed surprise over Hazare’s call to form a party of “clean and like-minded people”. They say that the meeting of the Core Committee held last week in Anna’s village Ralegan Siddhi did not discuss this issue.

According to them, the meeting focussed on programmes aimed at building pressure for a Jan Lokpal Bill and electoral reforms.

“The meeting did not discuss forming any political party or pressure group,” said a senior anti-graft activist. The two-day meet decided to conduct referendums in support of Jan Lokpal Bill and yatras against MPs opposed to the bill.

The meeting also decided to seek legal remedy against those levelling corruption charges against Team Anna.

Anna’s assertions on TV channels have come at a time when BJP is preparing for Advani’s yatra against corruption and rejoicing the Supreme Court’s reprieve to Narendra Modi in 2002 riots case. Hazare criticised the BJP and Advani’s yatra.

Anna’s party idea evoked mixed reactions from political parties. The Left welcomed the proposal. Senior leader Gurudas Gupta said, “We will support such a move against corruption. Both the BJP and the Congress are into corruption for funding elections.”

The Congress party advised Anna to remain apolitical. Its senior leader from Uttar Pradesh Rita Bahuguna Joshi said as long as Anna’s movement remains apolitical, it will draw support from  political parties.