NEW DELHI: Team Anna is a "victim of Congress politics", said activist Arvind Kejriwal Thursday, a day after talks between the government and activist Anna Hazare's group ended in a deadlock.
"We have become victims of internal politics of Congress. How many rounds of talks we have had with senior leaders like Kapil Sibal and Chidambaram but nothing has happened till now. Whom will we talk to?" Kejriwal said, even as Hazare's fast entered its tenth day Thursday.
There was no breakthrough Wednesday night in the talks between the government and Hazare's team for an anti-corruption law.
"There were strong indications that Annaji could be evicted from Ramlila Maidan early morning today (Thursday). As the issue was publicised nothing was done," Kejriwal told reporters here.
Hazare has been on fast since Aug 16, the day he was arrested and taken to Tihar Jail. He was released the same day, but he refused to leave. He shifted to Ramlila ground Aug 19 where he has been continuing with his fast.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Jan Lokpal Bill: We are victims of Congress politics, says Arvind Kejriwal
End fast, will debate Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament: PM's offer
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saluted the idealism of fasting social activist Anna Hazare in a televised speech to Parliament on Thursday in which he urged him to end his hunger strike. Standing committee will consider all options including Jan Lokpal Bill, he said. "He has become the embodiment of our people's disgust and concern about tackling corruption," Singh said of the ailing 74-year-old, whose populist campaign has put intense pressure on the government.
"I respect his idealism. I respect him as an individual... I applaud him. I salute him."
But Singh asked all MPs to unite in requesting Hazare to halt his fast for stronger anti-corruption legislation.
"He has made his point," the prime minister said. "His life is much too precious."
Singh's public and emotional appeal came as talks between Hazare's aides and the government appeared deadlocked, and amid mounting concerns over the campaigner's health as he entered the tenth day of his fast.
Read More >> Anna Hazare
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Anna wants to meet responsible people: Arvind Kejriwal
New Delhi: As anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare's fast enters its eighth day, Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said they want political dialogues since this is a political problem.
Kejriwal also announced that nobody has met Team Anna officially yet. " No body has come to us officially yet. Anyone who has come to meet us has come unofficially," said Kejriwal.
He also urged Anna's supporters to remain peaceful while they continue to protest. Pointing out that they are against corruption, he said, "I appeal to people to be peaceful."
Addressing media people at Ramlila Maidan on Tuesday, Kejriwal said, "We should not be targetting individual leaders or party."
Kejriwal, Anna's close aide, also said the negotiations should be formal and they do not want to speak to informal negotiators. He said, "Anna wants to meet responsible people."
Mentioning all the people who have come to meet the 74-year-old Gandhian are friends, Kejriwal clarified, "People have not come to meet Anna with mandate. But they have come to meet him as they know him for long."
Addressing thousands of supporters at Ramlila Maidan, Kejriwal said, "I request people to sit in front of the residences of their elected representatives and discuss with them."
He also asked the people to who are sitting on fast to come out of fast as Anna Hazare is already sitting on fast.