New Delhi: Team Anna on Wednesday suffered a vertical split with Anna Hazare and some top activists choosing to part ways with the Arvind Kejriwal-led group, opposing their plans to form a political party.
After a roller-coaster ride of 18 months in which they came together to run a high-steam anti-graft movement, the group led by Hazare had acrimonious discussions with Kejriwal and his supporters including Prashant Bhushan and Shanti Bhushan on the issue of forming a political party.
Backed by activists including Kiran Bedi and Justice Santosh Hegde, Hazare told the other group during the nine-hour deliberations that they were free to form a political party but cannot use his name or photo for their campaign.
“It is unfortunate that the team has separated…I will not join any party or any group. I will not go for their campaign. I have told them not to use my photo or my name in their campaign. You fight on your own,” he told reporters here.
“My best wishes are with them (those taking political path). There is no harm in it. If they think that they can get majority in Parliament, it is good…The paths have been separated. Both of us have chosen our (separate paths).
When pointed out that Kejriwal had earlier declared that he will not form any party if Hazare does not approve it, he said if that was the case, then the party should not be formed but “it is a good thing”. Reacting to the developments, Kejriwal tweeted, “country is on sale. It is passing through very difficult phase. I will do everything possible for me to save my country.”
Bedi, who is opposed to forming the party, tweeted, “Anna finally distances himself from political option. Moves to strengthen the movement. May bring together anti-corruption movements.”
She said that she did appeal to those members of the team who were very keen on political option. (PTI)