Team Anna
7 August 2012. The Indian anti-corruption icon Anna Hazare in a blog post yesterday on India Against Corruption (IAC) website announced that he has dissolved ‘Team Anna’. This came as a surprise to his associates and there was much confusion. Sources close to Hazare said that the decision was to distance himself from the decision to join electoral politics. “The time for fasts has ended. It is time to give people a political alternative,” he said. Hazare said that the Team was set up for the specific purpose of demanding a strong Jan Lokpal Bill from the government. Kiran Bedi, a key member of the Team, tweeted: ‘Read Anna’s blog. Do not know what all it means? For we all had very useful preparatory meeting with Annaji wherein he gave useful guidance!’ However, Arvind Kejriwal’s tweet confirmed the confusion within their ranks. ‘It (Team Anna) was formed for Jan Lokpal. That phase is over. New structures (are) being discussed. Preparatory committee (is) being formed,’ he tweeted. Kejriwal’s tweet was an indication that it was he who steered the movement into active politics. Hazare’s post clearly reflected his dissatisfaction with this decision. ‘I will never be part of a political party nor will I ever contest elections. This has been my stand throughout my decades-long career in public service,’ Hazare wrote in his blog post. The blog also ended up questioning the legitimacy of the decision taken by Kejriwal and his supporters at Jantar Mantar on Friday. He expressed doubt about the party’s ability raise adequate funds to fight the Lok Sabha elections. He also warned team members that the political party that was to be formed should not become like other existing parties, with money and power as its aim. Several of the core committee members like Justice Santosh Hegde, Medha Patkar, Chandramohan and Akhil Gogoi were also opposed to the decision to enter electoral politics. There is no doubt that Hazare will continue to fight against corruption, so will India Against Corruption. Arvind Kejriwal is the architect of IAC. Team Anna was formed to gain widespread popularity using charismatic Hazare’s name. What direction IAC will take will depend on the former core members of Team Anna – Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi, Prashant Bhushan, Shanti Bhushan, Kumar Vishwas, Santosh Hegde, Medha Patkar, Akhil Gogoi,Manish Sisodia and others. Meanwhile, Baba Ramdev is to start his indefinite protest at Ramlila Maidan in the capital city from 9 August 2012. Earlier Ramdev lent his support to Hazare’s protest at Jantar Mantar. Therefore Hazare is expected to be there to lend his support. Ramdev’s protest is likely to get more public support than that of Hazare. One of the reasons for Hazare to abandon his fast was dwindling public support.
