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Anna says nothing wrong in forming political party | Asserting that power should rest with the people in a true democracy, veteran
social activist Anna Hazare on Thursday
reiterated that there is nothing wrong in forming a political party. Addressing
his supporters at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi , Hazare said power should be
with the people of the country. "In a true democracy, power should be in the hands
of the people. The power must be given to the public. Village land, village water
belongs to the village. There is a government in Delhi , but in the village, we
are the government. Village has the right over coal, water in the village," he
said. "Government loots people sitting in Delhi . They get votes by fighting about
caste, religion. All religions must live as brothers," he added. Hazare asked
his supporters to dislodge those leaders, who don't give into people's demand.
He, however, said that he himself would not enter into politics. "I will not go
into politics. I will fight from the outside. You have to think who goes into
a party. Do they have a good character? Such people only should be given a ticket.
If you want to change the nation, form a party. But see who is going into that
party. How will you monitor them? You have to think about that," said Hazare.
"The people who ask for your votes, whether they are right or wrong, should be
monitored," he added. The 75-year-old social activist also reiterated that the
government is not serious on bring a strong anti-graft bill to combat the rampant
corruption in the country. "The government does not intend to bring in a strong
Lokpal Bill," he said. Amid growing concern over the failing health of Team Anna
members, 22 eminent persons, including former Army chief V.K. Singh, urged the
civil society activists to end its fast. A group of prominent citizens have written
to Anna Hazare, urging him to form a political party. The letter from eminent
persons raised the possibility of an end to the indefinite stir during the day
with Hazare likely to announce the future course of action. Bollywood actor Anupam
Kher, who read out the statement of solidarity from 22 prominent citizens of the
country, said the government was not responding to the fast and was not paying
heed to the protest. "The government has turned its back to the agitation and
has also not shown political will to punish corrupt people. The opposition also
does not fare well on the issue. Do not expect anything from this political class,"
the letter says. "We request Anna Hazare and other fasting activists to channelise
their efforts in setting up a political alternative, to give a responsive, democratic
and non-violent system. Indian democracy needs a new direction. We request the
people who are fasting to accept this historical challenge and call off their
fast," it adds. Delhi Police on Wednesday sent a letter to Team Anna, asking Kejriwal,
Sisodia and Rai - to agree to end their protest and be hospitalized. In its letter,
the Delhi Police reminded Team Anna that in the affidavit submitted to it before
the start of the agitation, there was a clause that said that the latter would
be permitted to shift fasting team members to hospital if their medical condition
turned critical. The letter of the Delhi Police is based on the observations of
a team of doctors from Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital. Arvind Kejriwal yesterday
accused the government of plotting a conspiracy against him, and said that he
would be killed if taken to hospital for a medical check up. Kejriwal, who refused
to give his medical reports to government doctors, also hit out at the government
for its indifferent attitude. The standoff between the UPA and Team Anna intensified
after the latter demanded the setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT)
of retired judges of Supreme and High Courts, to probe charges of corruption against
15 cabinet ministers, including the Prime Minister.
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