Anna, team to hold separate agitations
18 July 2012 1:45 AM GMT
The anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare and the yoga guru Ramdev held a joint press conference in Mumbai on Tuesday, in which they announced their plan to launch a protest against corruption together at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi from 9 August. This announcement has created ripples within Team Anna in the national capital, which is planning to sit on indefinite hunger strike at Janatar Mantar from 25 July.
The announcement made by the Hazare-Ramdev duo made no mention of their support to the indefinite fast announced by Team Anna, which will be led by Arvind Kejriwal. On the other hand the pamphlets issued by Team Anna in the national capital recently also does not make any mention of the two leading anti-corruption movement leaders joining them.
When asked whether he would support Team Anna's agitation, Ramdev refused to give a direct reply, saying that Hazare would support him during the protest. 'We will launch a nationwide agitation from 9 August to demand action on corruption and black money and for a strong Lokpal Bill to be passed,' he said. Team Anna has permission till 8 August for their proposed fast.
The members of Team Anna have not enjoyed a comfortable relationship with Ramdev, who even snubbed Kejriwal during his last dharna at Jantar Mantar some days ago. Kejriwal had walked out from the protest after the snub, though he claimed that he left the venue as he was unwell.
Last year, when Anna and Ramdev agitations peaked, Team Anna members ensured that the crusader from Ralegan Siddhi did not visit Ramdev at Ramlila Maidan. The yoga guru, on the other hand, had visited Jantar Mantar in April last year when Anna held his first fast demanding the passage of the Lokpal Bill.
The announcement made by the Hazare-Ramdev duo made no mention of their support to the indefinite fast announced by Team Anna, which will be led by Arvind Kejriwal. On the other hand the pamphlets issued by Team Anna in the national capital recently also does not make any mention of the two leading anti-corruption movement leaders joining them.
When asked whether he would support Team Anna's agitation, Ramdev refused to give a direct reply, saying that Hazare would support him during the protest. 'We will launch a nationwide agitation from 9 August to demand action on corruption and black money and for a strong Lokpal Bill to be passed,' he said. Team Anna has permission till 8 August for their proposed fast.
The members of Team Anna have not enjoyed a comfortable relationship with Ramdev, who even snubbed Kejriwal during his last dharna at Jantar Mantar some days ago. Kejriwal had walked out from the protest after the snub, though he claimed that he left the venue as he was unwell.
Last year, when Anna and Ramdev agitations peaked, Team Anna members ensured that the crusader from Ralegan Siddhi did not visit Ramdev at Ramlila Maidan. The yoga guru, on the other hand, had visited Jantar Mantar in April last year when Anna held his first fast demanding the passage of the Lokpal Bill.
Next Story
