Tag Archives: Anna

Team Anna Slams Congress for Linking Hazare to RSS

by

1


Team Anna released photographs of some Congress leaders with former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Nanaji Deshmukh as it slammed the party over its renewed allegations about the social activists’ saffron links.

The Bharaitya Janata Party (BJP) also slammed the Congress for raising a ruckus over the photograph published in a daily. The photographs released by Team Anna show Congress leader Motilal Vora sharing the stage with Deshmukh. Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Congress leader Balram Jharkhar have also been photographed with Deshmukh. In one of the photographs, Deshmukh is sitting alongside former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Jhakhar.

anna

Earlier in the day, Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh alleged that Hazare had links with the RSS. Referring to the photograph published by a Hindi daily, Singh tweeted: ‘And he denied any association with RSS! Now whom do we believe Facts with Picture and the claim of RSS or Anna? I am again proved right.’ His party colleague and union minister Beni Prasad Verma joined the tirade against Hazare, saying he was an ‘RSS agent’ and ‘army deserter’. Congress spokesperson Raashid Alvi said that Anna should come clean on his links with the RSS. ‘Which ideology Anna follows is his personal decision.

But there should be some honesty about it, people have the right to know what your ideology is. People must know,’ Alvi said. But Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal rejected the allegations, saying Hazare was ‘an agent of the country’. ‘Anna is an agent of our country. When they (government) don’t have anything to say, they say these things…Why do they not pass Jan Lokpal bill, why do they want to keep CBI in their hands,’ Kejriwal said, adding that the Congress wanted to divert the attention of people. Another Hazare associate Kiran Bedi tweeted: ‘Does sharing of the dais make one each other’s agent? Next time shud one sit alone? When two persons share a dais do they become each others agents? (sic)’ Hazare is slated to start a three-day fast in Mumbai from Tuesday to press for a stong Lokpal bill. His fast will coincide with the expected debate in parliament on the long-pending anti-corruption legislation.

Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said Congress was raising irrelevant issues. ‘The Congress has lost its mind. And it is because of their frustration that they are talking rubbish and asking inane questions which need not be answered,’ Javadekar said. ‘Nanaji was a great patriot and activist. All parties had good relations with him. Who made this allegation? Digvijay Singh? He also has many pictures with Nanaji,’ Javadekar added.

Related articles

The World Calls On Anna For Leadership

by

0


After successfully persuading the Government for a strong Lokpal bill, the Anti-graft Gandhian crusader Anna Hazare has not only become popular in India, but has also won millions of hearts abroad.

Anna Hazare

A two-member delegation from Pakistan called on Anna at his Ralegaon Siddhi home. The delegation comprised retired Pakistan Supreme Court Judge Nasir Alam Zahid and Karamat Ali, the Director of Pakistan Institute for Labor. The high profile visitors sought Anna’s “guidance and opinion” on commencing a similar movement in Pakistan to unite people against anti-corruption.

Speaking to PTI, Anna said, “The delegation told me that their country is facing a problem similar to that in India. Neighboring countries must join hands to fight corruption. In fact measures are needed to reduce corruption across the world.” The delegation also urged Anna not to limit his anti-corruption crusade to India, but extend it to all over South Asia. “The delegation has invited me to Pakistan. I will travel there when I am fit and get time from my schedule,” Anna said.

Delegate

One of the delegates, Karamat, meanwhile stated that they honored Anna Hazare for the steps he had taken to wipe out corruption in India. Like India, Pakistan is also beset with corruption, he noted. Karamat also added that they didn’t have the likes of Anna Hazare in their country, and they wanted him to visit Pakistan to propel people to fight against corrupt practices of the government there. They wanted Anna to guide them in fighting corruption. Inspired by Hazare, an Islamabad-based businessman is already on a hunger fast against graft, from September 12, Karamat revealed.

Leave alone Asia and the sub-continent, the influence of Anna has begun to echo globally. The U.S. President Barack Obama admired the efforts being taken in Indian villages to empower citizens and promote transparency in governance. Speaking at a global forum aimed at supporting transparency and fighting corruption, he said, “From Tanzania to Indonesia, and as I saw first hand during my visit to India, villages are organizing and making their voices heard, and getting the public services that they need.” Obama favored a similar movement in U.S.

Obama

Meanwhile, Anna’s strong determination has forced many a politicians to bend to their views. Congress MP and spokesperson Manish Tewari tendered a written apology to Anna Hazare, saying he regretted his remarks accusing the anti-corruption crusader of indulging in corruption. Tewari’s apology comes two weeks after a legal defamation notice was slapped against him on September 8. Copies of the written apology were sent to Anna and his lawyer Milind Pawar.

Related articles