Anna Hazare slams former IAC members

Mumbai: Veteran social activist and anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare has criticised former members of the Indian Against Corruption (IAC) movement for leaving the “battle against graft”. “When agitation was at its peak, they were with me. But now nobody is fighting for Lokpal, as every one of them has got something,” said Mr Hazare. But, he has also vowed to continue the fight for establishing a Lokpal as he claimed the Union government ‘wasn’t serious about the issue’.

“The Lokpal agitation was a battle against corruption. It is not yet finished as the appointment of the Lokpal is still pending. The Modi government is not serious about Lokpal. Every time I write to the Prime Minister regarding setting up Lokpal, his office just replies with an acknowledgement letter. Nothing concrete is happening,” said Mr Hazare.

He also emphasised on the need for an agitation for the appointment of a Lokpal. “I am thinking about it now. As this government is reluctant to appoint Lokpal, we may have to launch nationwide protest again,” he said.

Mr Hazare was also furious with former members of the IAC — Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, Puducherry governor Kiran Bedi, Swaraj Abhiyan national leader Prashant Bhushan and others. “Now nobody calls me. They got what they were looking for. They became CM and governor, but the Lokpal is still to become a reality,” said Mr Hazare.

Reacting to Mr Hazare’s comment, Medha Patkar, former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) member, said, “We had alerted Anna not to let his movement to fall into the hands of these people, who had their own agendas. But now we must launch a bigger movement to raise wide-range issues.”

Calling for a nationwide movement for Lokpal, Vinayakrao Patil, Mr Hazare’s colleague for the last 20 years, said, “Anna’s commitment towards the eradication of corruption is unmatched. That’s why we feel sad when we hear something like this.”

Preeti Menon, an AAP spokesperson, said, “Our battle for Lokpal is still going on. I don’t know towards whom Anna’s comment is directed, but I can say that we will back him if he launches a movement for Lokpal.”