No RSS leaders on dais: Team Anna

Though Anna Hazare claimed on Monday that there was no rift in his Team on his joining Baba Ramdev, the Team put condition on the Yoga Guru that he should not allow VHP or RSS leders on dais if he wished Anna to be there.

“We have put this condition because of our earlier experience with Baba. He had VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) leaders like  Sadhvi Ritambhara beside him. We want him not to repeat it, ” a senior member of the Core Committee of India Against Corruption told Deccan Herald.

The member informed that the issue of Anna’s decision to join Baba Ramdev without the consent of the Core Committee was discussed in the meeting and people took exception to  it. However, the matter was resolved when Anna referred to a decision of the Core Committee in a meeting at Ralegan Siddhi (home village of Hazare) authorizing him to take decisions without consulting the Committee.

The opposition to Anna’s move is not reflected only in Muslim leader Mufti Shammoon Qasmi quitting Sunday’s meeting, but also in assertions from the like of Narmada leader Medha Patkar.

Though she or her representative Madhuresh was not present in the Core Committee meeting on Sunday, she is believed to have communicated her reservations. She has been of the view that Ramdev should come clean on the controversial land deal in which he obtained land from the Himachal government at a throw away price for herbal farming.

Hazare on Monday  denied  any rift in the group and said he would share dais with the yoga guru in the fight against corruption. However, he ruled out any joint countrywide tour.

He also said the group had  no difference on the conduct of Mufti Shamoon Qasmi , who was accused of secretly recording the proceedings of core committee meeting. He said during the all-India tour, he and Ramdev would  share stage wherever they meet.