Team Anna to sit on fast from today

Team Anna will start its next phase of movement here at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday in support of a strong Lokpal bill, besides three more demands.

The three new demands are constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of corruption against 15 Union ministers, a fast track court for disposing cases against MPs and another SIT for party chiefs.

The movement starts with an indefinite fast by two team members — Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia. Gopal Rai, member of the India Against Corruption, will also join them.

If the government does not concede to their demands, social activist Hazare will also join the movement on July 29.

“On the request of my team members, I have decided to stay away from the fast for the initial four days. If the government does not accept our demand for a strong Lokpal bill, I will join the fast on July 29,” said Hazare in a press conference on Tuesday, flanked by Shanti Bhushan, Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan, Sisodia and Kiran Bedi.

He said repeated incidents of deception on the part of government has not deterred him and he still hoped that his demand could be accepted.

He reiterated his complaints of “deceptions” and “false assurances” by the government and said his recent meeting with Law Minister Salman Khurshid confirms the same. He accused that the letter of Minister of State in PMO Narayanswami was meant to create a division among Team Anna members.

Kejriwal reiterated allegation of corruption against President-elect Pranab Mukherjee and said “we would be raising the issue even after he (Mukherjee) assumes office despite the fact he would be enjoying immunity from investigation and prosecution.”
He also raised suspicion over Mulayam Singh supporting Mukherjee in the Presidential poll and said there must be some bargaining behind the SP supremo’s decision to back the UPA candidate.

Anti-corruption agitation launched by Team Anna last year witnessed massive response from people from all walks of life who came together to fight against rampant corruption in the country.