Team Anna was disbanded on Monday by anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare, to pave way for the conceptualisation of the “political alternative”.
However, it caught many team members by surprise. Team member Kiran Bedi tweeted: “Read Anna’s blog. Do not know what all it means? For we all had very useful preparatory meeting with Annaji wherein he gave useful guidance!”
Announcing the decision on his blog ‘Anna Hazare Says’, the septuagenarian said that Team Anna was conceived to fight for Jan Lokpal and now that the government has shown no will to implement a strong anti-graft law, there was no need for it. “Today we end the work of Team Anna,” he said in his blog.
The anti-graft activist noted that there will be no further negotiation with the government on the issue. “Team Anna was formed to work for the Jan Lokpal. We have decided to have no relation with the government. So, Team Anna has stopped working from today and the core committee has also been disbanded,” he said.
Before leaving for his village Ralegan Siddhi, Hazare said: “Team Anna’s job is over. We are separate now. They will form a party. I have nothing to do with it.”
Hazare added that lack of response from the government forced them to call of the agitation.
“The government is not ready to bring Jan Lokpal. So how many times will you sit on hunger strikes? So, I have given an alternative of sending good people to Parliament,” Hazare said. He also made it clear that his role in the political alternative will be restricted to canvassing for them and he will not joi n any political party or contest elections.