All parties are together against effective Lokpal

[Budmaas]

Internally all parties are together against effective Lokpal: Kiran Bedi

Some members of Team Anna will hold an indefinite fast in the presence of Anna Hazare from July 25 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to demand a strong Lokpal Bill. While Anna Hazare will not be fasting this time around - his team member Arvind Kejriwal along with few others will sit on fast -, it will be keenly watched whether they will be able to draw in crowds and support akin to what was witnessed last August at Ramlila Maidan.

Key Team Anna member Kiran Bedi, in an exclusive interview with Zeenews.com’s Biplob Ghosal, explained why Anna Hazare is not fasting this time. Bedi, India’s first woman cop and a social activist, also shared her team’s views on issues regarding changes needed in the electoral system and the team’s relationship with Baba Ramdev.

Biplob: It was Anna Hazare who used to observe fast in the past. He has been the face of the anti-corruption movement ever since it began. But this time around, Arvind Kejriwal along with few other team members will be observing an indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar. Does this mean that Anna is being sidelined and Kejriwal is becoming the face of the movement? What led your team to take such a decision?

Bedi: The India Against Corruption (IAC) core group requested Anna to allow some of its volunteering members to fast. This was to protect Anna's health. It took Anna more than 6 months to recover from the consequences of the 12-day fast at Ramlila Grounds. His feet were swollen and vitals were also affected. Hence, none of us wanted a repeat of this. The youngsters decided to take over in Anna's presence. Hence…

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[Origmos]

This is not surprising. Very few people in Indian politics are uncorrupted by themselves.

[AmthaLal]

Whats your point Baddu?

Your beloved SP is also against LOKPAL bigtime.

[Budmaas]

Has media ditched Anna Hazare ..?

From asking uncomfortable questions to government ministers, the media is now telling Team Anna to make its intentions clear – what is it that it actually wants? Lokpal, overthrowing of the ‘corrupt’ Congress government or something else.

The media, in my viewpoint, has not ditched Team Anna. What it has done is moved away from being seen as an ardent supporter of Team Anna to being a more pragmatic, giving weight to the merit of a story than emotions of the masses.