Apolitical Anna Hazare Vs Political Arvind Kejriwal, And The Fight Against Corruption!

Anna Hazare, the crusader against corruption, first became a phenomenon, then got into frequent spells of silence and confusion, had a few flop shows over the period of more than a year and finally called it a day dissolving his famous Team Anna. His story has been more of a dilemma than success or failure.

In August, 2012 Anna Hazare declared the decision to go political. The declaration was made from the stage shared by his team members who were the ones on fasting that time. The most prominent among them was Arvind Kejriwal who later said that the decision was taken after a lot of brainstorming and with the full permission of Anna Hazare. Anna also announced that there was nothing wrong in going in for a political alternative with a totally unresponsive government to deal with.

A few days later the anti-corruption guru back in his native place in the state of Maharashtra officially dissolved Team Anna. He became more active now writing in his blog and after a gap of few days more stated that the split in Team Anna was brought about by the ‘political’ agenda of his own members. He clarified that it was not the Government of India who broke his team up though they tried very hard for that purpose, but it was the political ambitions of his own members that ended the team. He was silent though about any possible role played by Baba Ramdev.

Finally, Anna Hazare landed up in New Delhi, the national capital, without any of his erstwhile members inviting or organizing any function. Anna too had no plans of meeting his members, not even his earlier right-hand man Arvind Kejriwal. He went there on his own and had media meetings on his own. What he uttered there made the dilemma even more hopeless.

Anna Hazare expressed his hatred for politics calling it ‘dirty’ and declared that he would never extend support for any political party or candidates and even his name cannot be used by any such party. At the same time he made another significant declaration that he would never go on fast again to push forward his ‘movement’. Later in Delhi Arvind Kejriwal reportedly met Anna and an immediate softening of Anna’s stand was reported too. This time he said he might consider supporting good candidates like Kejriwal who could make a difference in politics.

The phenomenon got reduced to a lonely  idealistic old man locked up in his village. India Against Corruption—the team that created a national uproar of late has allegedly got muted and filled to the brim with publicity hungering and politically ambitious people. Anna Hazare still wants to carry on with his movement and Kejriwal too reiterated his support for his mentor. But how and on whose strength was not specified. The political alternative was rejected by Anna, but no other alternative has been offered either. He wants the masses with him to fight corruption, but is unable to give the right direction to them. The fight against the greatest evil of India ever seems to be over.

Meanwhile, on the patriotic occasion of the 143^rd Birth Anniversary of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi today Arivind Kejriwal has formally entered politics and released the vision document in Delhi for his new political party to be unveiled on November 26. The document says that if his party is elected to power the Lokpal (Ombudsmen) Bill would be brought in within 10 days which will give right to anybody to complain against anybody, that his party’s elected representatives would not use VIP facilities like cars, bungalows and all, and that full transparency would be maintained on the party’s website. Kejriwal also said that this would not be political party as such, but a people’s revolution.

All of these are rather nice simple and kind of make believe efforts. But Kejriwal should understand that if politics was this simple the whole problem of his ‘movement’ would have been unnecessary in the first place! And, the real problem is his  party will be without Anna Hazare’s blessings and even his mentor’s name cannot be used for any campaigns or promotions. A political movement now without the inspiration or the leader?  Or would Kejriwal’s party be able to answer now the five or six questions posed by his mentor? Or is this just a follow-up step by Kejriwal to keep on his political ambitions and stay on as a nationally relevant India Against Corruption leader? Which anti-corruption leader would the Indian masses choose now?

Where do we go from here? 

Fight Against Corruption: Team Anna To Fight Elections!

It was possibly the biggest movement to rock India after Independence. With unprecedented support for the cause the anti-corruption fight started by social activist Anna Hazare in April, 2011 transformed into a mass movement. But the huge success of the movement signaled its downfall too. Thanks to a variety of reasons including contradictions, counter charges and friction within Team Anna and core members’ political ambitions mass support for the movement has been dwindling all the time. Seemingly running out options the movement finally became political.

Falling back on its oft-repeated ‘fast’ weapon Team Anna started yet another indefinite fast in New Delhi from July 25, 2012. For a change this time, the core members of the team sat into the fast first with Anna Hazare threatening to join by Sunday, the 29^thof July, if the government did not respond till then. Eventually Anna had to join in.

Support for the fast was not even in hundreds in the early days. Sensing trouble, Baba Ramdev with whom Anna formed an alliance to carry forward the fight for a larger cause only recently, descended on the ground with around three thousand of his supporters. Finally crowds were visible, but many criticized the Baba for hijacking the movement. And, most importantly, the discordant notes were only too perceptible.

Just before launching the fast core Team Anna members raised the pitch for their demand to investigate 15 ministers of the government of India including the Prime Minister and even the newly elected President Pranab Mukherjee for charges of corruption that they said could be proved with the evidence they had. Anna Hazare did not corroborate this particular demand and stuck to his traditional demand for a strong anti-corruption Bill. He even congratulated the new President, and Baba Ramdev created more friction by saying that names of supreme personalities like the President should not be taken during protests.

Total disarray and non-existent support naturally did not inspire the government to respond in a positive way. The local police only warned Team Anna to end the fast or hospitalize the members whose health had deteriorated. Arvind Kejriwal, a core member whose condition became worrisome due to diabetes, chose to oppose vehemently any attempt by the police to evict them forcibly to hospitals and announced the Team’s decision to continue the fast. The stalemate continued.

On the ninth day that is the 2^nd of August, 2012, Anna Hazare addressing a crowd of about five thousand suddenly announced that preparing for a political alternative was not wrong since nothing could possibly be achieved on the Bill with a totally non-responsive government. While expressing his determination not to join any political party he said good people with integrity should be selected as political candidates and they must try to change the corruption-ridden system from within. He asked for a referendum from his supporters whether Team Anna should go ahead forming a political party or a front to fight the elections or not. Other core members elaborated on the issue and there seemed to be absolute agreement with many stalwarts all over the country sending letters of consent and encouragement. Team Anna announced its decision then to end the fast on the next day.

The most heated debate of the nation started unfolding and was set to rage on indefinitely. Questions and many more questions came to the fore. How would Team Anna do it? How would it get a referendum since its mass support has been falling? What would be its method to garner the votes since voter apathy is very common in its major support base of the middle classes and to get votes from the larger citizens it must have strong organizational infrastructure and huge funds? How should it react to the support shown by several Bollywood superstars? How to guarantee that the Anna front’s elected candidates would always vie away from corruption of any form? Answers would always be difficult to get.

Meanwhile Baba Ramdev was set to go on with his movement against black money from 9^thAugust, 2012 in Delhi and his movement assumed added significance in the perspective of Team Anna going political. The immensely rich yoga-guru announced in Team Anna’s gathering that he would bring in 900,000 people for his protest, but the Baba conceded magnanimously that you needed at least 10 million people for the success of any movement!

While the effort to join the system to change it from within is laudable the numerous facts and events of the recent past only seem to signify the ultimate death of a most significant movement in Indian history.

Has the anti-corruption movement in India gone into a self-destructive mode? Or was it long overdue and inevitable?

Today in New Delhi Team Anna’s fast was formally broken by retired Army General VK Singh. Anna Hazare confirmed his team’s political resolve by announcing the formation of a political party though he would not contest as a candidate. The political party will be without any high command and will be a symbol of another movement under which the people will select the candidates and the candidates will fight the 2014 general elections to enter Parliament and to decentralize power.

A political Utopia for Anna Hazare? 

Fight Against Corruption: Baba Ramdev New Savior?

The righteous minded hates corruption and wants this evil eradicated from India or possibly form planet Earth. Therefore, when Anna Hazare launched a movement in April, 2011 he immediately enjoyed unprecedented mass support and captured the national stage. Inspired by Anna’s achievement the immensely rich yoga guru Baba Ramdev jumped in the fray too with a movement against a related factor of black money. History was created.

As the internal contradictions within Team Anna grew mass support for the movement began to wane. The Mumbai fast in December, 2011 was a terrible flop and the situation further worsened with Anna Hazare falling sick frequently and going on a silence vow. Team Anna was plunged into severe introspection. 

Maybe inspired by Baba Ramdev’s star power, this time Anna Hazare decided to join hands and the two cult figures celebrated their union with a one-day token fast in Delhi in June, 2012. Sometime later both of them held a joint press conference and announced two major movement programs. Anna would start an indefinite fast from July 25 for a strong anti-corruption Bill and Baba Ramdev would launch an indefinite movement against black money. The venue was the national capital, New Delhi.

Team Anna sat into a fast with Anna to join later if necessary. It became inevitable after a pathetic lack of support. The Baba attended the fast on the third day and infused crowds into it, but the supporters stayed there as long as he was there. Lot of people criticized the Baba for trying to highjack the movement.

With no surging crowd and a disinterested government Anna Hazare turned political on 3^rd of August. Three days later he disbanded Team Anna saying the team had outlived its objectives and they would no longer negotiate with the government for a strong anti-corruption Bill. There will be a political party instead to enter into Parliament and change the system from within.

As planned, Baba Ramdev started his movement from today in Delhi. The crowds surged to nearly 20,000 people thanks to the Baba’s star power, but it was a far cry from the 900,000 he boasted of bringing in.

Now, the most significant development. The Baba announced a three day fast first and then the next program if the government did not relent by that time. And, it was not only a fight against black money, but also for a strong anti-corruption Bill with the basic elements demanded by Anna Hazare. He expressed his vow to always support Anna’s cause, but unlike Team Anna he had no political agenda and he would never attack or target any political party or politicians.

While the righteous wants corruption removed the very fight against the evil is becoming utterly complex and replete with question marks. The government sticking to its wait and watch policy and therefore the main opposition party, BJP, naturally is openly extending support to Baba Ramdev.

The movement is also becoming charmingly open for both corrupt and non-corrupt to jump in. For many corrupt souls it provides the platform to show off; in fact, it provides retirement benefit bonanza too. Many retired persons who dedicated their lives to greed and corruption and made a dirty lot of money can join in for a ‘safe’ social service. There is hardly any surprise in the poster incident today when Baba Ramdev’s aide Balkrishna who is in jail for a forgery case was shown along with the greatest freedom fighters of India including Mahatma Gandhi!

The politics of corruption goes on unabated!

Anna Hazare And Baba Ramdev Partner Joint Fast Company!

The anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare has finally decided to sit together with Baba Ramdev on a one-day fast in Delhi today. There had been a lot speculation and anticipation on this for quite some time. Why Anna had to do this?

After taking India by a hurricane wave with his two huge bouts of fasting in April and in August of 2011 Anna Hazare started facing the music from within his Team Anna as his members became too powerful and ambitious. The cascading trouble ranged from corruption charges against the members themselves and election politics to basic differences of views and opinions. To make matters worse Anna fell sick quite frequently and his 'strong' Lokpal Bill (anti-corruption Ombudsman Bill ) failed to make any headway in Parliament. Anna had to do something to carry on the anti-corruption movement.

So he launched a fast in Mumbai in December, 2011 purportedly to pressurise the upcoming Parliamentary debate on the Lokpal Bill. The masses did not turn up in large numbers this time and with Anna getting unwell again the program was a terrible flop. As differences grew within and out Anna decided to remain 'silent' for nearly a month afterwards. He desperately needed a strong partner now.

Baba Ramdev, basically a yoga guru earning millions through his camps and medicine outlets worldwide, saw Anna Hazare become a national leader in an instant and so he too set about amassing some political clout. He launched a similar fast in Delhi against a related cause of black money and all right-wing elements and forces of the country started descending on his fasting grounds, Ramleela. A concerned goverment swooped on the gathering at midnight and ousted the Baba unceremoniously. Instead of showing true leadership qualities in controlling his startled supporters the 'brave' Baba decided to flee dressed up as a woman. The consequent confusion led to the death of a woman. Anna and his team naturally opposed the goverment's ruthless action though Anna always defended his 'distance' from right-wing fundamentalists. Today is the first anniversary of the Baba ouster.

And, hopelessly running out of options Anna Hazare sits together with Ramdev on a fast today in Delhi. Voices of dissent continue though on the newly framed charges against the Prime Minister and on that the reportedly 'fraud' Baba himself is facing serious corruption charges.

The anti-corruption mocktail looks set to mock the very evil it is trying to erradicate.

Anna Hazare--The Indian Dilemma of The Century!

Millions of Indians supporting Anna Hazare are basically moved by the cause--ending corruption that has affected almost everybody in some way or the other. Most of them, though, do not care a dime about the methods adopted to achieve that goal. It is quite possible that the government is finally blackmailed into accepting Anna's bill. But what after? Anna could hardly afford to resort to the same tactics when it comes to implementing the Jan Lokpal Bill, meaning he just cannot say, 'Hey corrupt ones! Admit  your guilt in public and give back all your ill earned money to the affected. Or I will start fast unto death!' The millions supporting cannot ignore the methods if  they are also interested in good implementation. Then, the middle classes--coming out predominantly in the streets. We very well know about their normal mentality--closing their flat entrance to the world hardly caring what problems are there in the immediate neighbor's house, lacking a civic sense walking biking driving parking at will considering only self benefits, ignoring parents and elders and so on. So, the middle classes must introspect what are their basic reasons for supporting Anna ? Showcasing so-called honesty, political links and career and personal benefits could be the hidden reasons.

Naturally, there is an intelligent opposition to Anna growing all the time. Of course, they support the cause overwhelmingly, but are skeptical of the methods adopted. They must find out too how they could positively influence the public opinion.

Anna Hazare, the devoted crusader against corruption, is an extremely lovable person. The nation loved how he ran yesterday to escape the rains leaving behind the cops guarding him! But while you love him to extremity you must acknowledge the fact that problems like corruption cannot be solved overnight, particularly in a vast and varied country like India. The huge numbers and the usual Anna talk are just not enough. Besides, you must also be on your guard as to how his civil society members are going to behave in future.

Meantime, Anna Hazare magic continues. Next 2-3 days are going to be crucial. Jai Hind!

Anna Hazare Arrested!

Anna Hazare, the crusader against the evil of corruption, was arrested early this morning by Delhi police. Clearly, to avoid having a law and order situation with thousands (including fascist lumpen elements) expected to gather for an indefinite period at a public place in the national capital with hounding news channels hungry for 24/7 sensation. Anna Hazare's second fast unto death was not allowed to go in public. This is undemocratic, everybody is saying. Yes, it seems to be so.  But, there is one more angle to it.

The April fast was a huge success and the government of India had to agree to draft the Lokpal Bill promising to present it in Parliament in the monsoon session which they did. But the civil society members had been adamant since, constantly demanding what they thought was the best and soon making the movement 'Our Bill' Vs 'Your Bill'. Blackmail of another fast followed insistent demands despite the 'Your Bill' being presented in Parliament for open debate and discussion. Why? If government has been dictatorial, the Team Anna has been dictatorial too. Who are they to dictate terms to the nation, honestly? If they are so democratic why they don't believe in the democratic process?

Anna Hazare's arrest has created the mess that everybody politically involved wanted. The opposition parties are flocking on merrily at this godsend opportunity to condemn the government again. Of course, there is lot of love and respect for Anna and his supporters are already in full gear all over. But, most of the protest marches are likely to be organized and orchestrated by the opposition political parties and different factions attached to them making the common man missing conspicuously.

The chaos is most tragic when we think of the noble cause. The fight against corruption is set to degenerate into a routine political fight between ruling and opposition parties, the Prime Minister being the unfailing target both for civil society members and opposition.

The common people want corruption to end so that they are spared of paying bribes at every step of their existence. They never want a political circus on this most serious malady. Team Anna must wake up to the reality and allow the democratic process to take charge.

Fight Against Corruption: Anna Hazare Back In Fast Action!

Anna Hazare congratulated his erstwhile chief lieutenant in the movement against corruption, Arvind Kejriwal for the latter's spectacular debut political performance in Delhi assembly election. He said that Kejriwal would have become Delhi Chief Minister if he had his continued support. Anna also reiterated his earlier observation that elections could be won without tons of money. But then, Anna would never become politically aligned or support any political party. We saw how pained he was when Kejriwal decided to form a political party and how he almost gave up his movement. However, it is obvious the crusader against corruption took some positives out of this development. Anna decides to resume his mission.

Anna Hazare announced his resolve to continue the fight for the much debated Anti-corruption Ombudsman or Jan Lokpal Bill. And today, the mass leader began one more of his famous fasts unto death at his native village Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra. Other reasons are also there for his decision. After BJP's 4-1 triumph in the state assembly elections-2013 the Congress led ruling coalition is reeling under tremendous pressure and the winter session of the Indian Parliament is underway.

Kejriwal's party remains true to its commitment of not forming government with or support any 'corrupt' political party. BJP, the single largest party in Delhi, says its first priority is to make Delhi administration corruption free. Now with added pressure from Anna Hazare and General Elections looming over the horizon Indian citizens could realistically hope for some action on corruption. It is really immaterial whether political parties fight corruption by choice or by being forced.

Anna Gives It To The Indian People!

This is the biggest victory for the Indian people since Independence. We never could see the live scenes of the Freedom Struggle except on celluloid. But now we are witnessing live the Second Independence. This time against a bigger enemy called 'Corruption'! We are privileged and proud of this moment thanks the Modern Day Gandhi, Anna Hazare. We are witnessing history unfolding right before us, incredibly vibrant scenes across India we never thought we could ever live to see.

For the first time ever civil society will function together with the Government in a fifty-fifty partnership. The Joint Draft Committee will prepare the real Jan Lokpal Bill and it will be placed before the Parliament in its monsoon session by end of June this year. The Government had to accept all demands of Anna Hazare, supported by the whole of India, and predominantly, Young India.

Tomorrow at 10.30am we have a date with History. Anna Hazare is set to formally end his fast unto death in acknowledgment of the Government notification. And, the first effective step to vanquish the blood sucking ENEMY will be underway. We are set too to cherish the moment of victory forever.

Still, there are personified epitomes of negativity that refuse to be human and blabber out the disgusting 'Nothing will happen' (kuch nehi hoga!) things. Earlier today one specimen asked me 'Are you sure Anna is not corrupt?' Some desperate souls are on overtime to malign the Second Gandhi. Time now to laugh them off and better put them on the shelves.

Long Live Anna Hazare. March the Anna Brigade!  Demolish Corruption!

Anna Hazare Fast Goes On! Political Plunder Rages On!

The 74 year old crusader against corruption continues his fast unto death--entering the eleventh day today. Destroying our hopes of breakfast lunch and suppers for the last two days. Anna Hazare is becoming the hottest trump card for almost everybody involved in the process of fighting corruption.

Everybody is benefiting from Anna. The members of his team are riding high on unprecedented mass support and do not seem ever wanting to lose it. They are talking gesticulating and dictating not bothering who is before them. Anna's frail body is their constant source of inspiration.

The government seems to be in all sorts of dilemmas. Do it, don't do it, promise, don't promise, find a solution, camouflage it and so on! The Prime Minister delivered the positives on the last two days consecutively, but somebody or the other within would inevitably utter something contrary to the scheme of things or create whirlpools of confusion diversion and utter dejection. Constitution, parliament, law, democratic procedure etc are the most uttered words conveying no commitment attached to the very words. Anna's frail body is their constant source of strategy building.

The opposition political parties seem to be making the best of all worlds. They have a godsend opportunity to side with a good cause and make all the gesticulations in support of it mustering the undivided attention of the masses and shedding crocodile tears in plenty. Secondly and most importantly, they are having the greatest entertainment of all time seeing and pinning the ruling party against the wall. Bill or no Bill, they are set to the course of embarrassing their rivals to the maximum extent possible. Anna's frail body is their constant source of gleeful merriment.

168, 184, 193! All rules galore! Hope imprisoned in them. Maybe tomorrow's likely Parliament debate on all drafts of Lokpal Bill  yield some ruling. Maybe hoping against hope!

Anna Hazare must realize the 'reality show' of his fast and give up it up as soon as possible so that he can effectively lead the sea of humanity to the deserved goal and build his dream country.

Anna Hazare Sets The Essential Qualifications!

• You must be well behaved.


• You must have a liberal frame of mind and spirit. 


• You must be without a spot in all your life and career. Spotless honesty, that is to say.


• You must be capable of sacrifice for the cause of the nation and people. 

Only if these essential qualifications are met you are eligible for participating in Anna Hazare's revolution to eradicate corruption.  You are welcome to be married and having a small family; but you must have 1 to three hours a day to devote for the bigger family that you have outside your four walls. Most importantly, you must be capable of sacrifice, okay, not to the extent that Anna himself did by adopting a life of celibacy and spending all his life of 74 years in a 8 by 10 temple room at Ralegan Siddhi, Maharashtra.

Anna Hazare, on the sixth day of his fast, gave a rousing address to over 100 thousand citizens gathered on a super Sunday at Ramlila ground, Delhi this eventful evening. It was like Gandhi come alive, Anna speaking comfortably seated on the dais often putting on and out his specs and then after the speech sipping a glass of plain water and lying down for rest. The crowd was cheering clapping and appreciating every word uttered by the second Gandhi.

  There were huge crowds and processions all around in major cities of India. Hundred thousand at India Gate, Delhi, another hundred thousand taking a five kilometer procession in Mumbai--said to be the largest gathering ever in this workaholic business hub, and so on with other equally electrifying scenes. A welcome change already--people sacrificing their weekend trips and television sets. A revolution against corruption has finally and truly taken shape.

The CHANGE is imminent. The clock is ticking for CHANGE from now on. This will be the beginning of the CHANGE. Now, all must have patience for the realization and materialization of this CHANGE. Let the aftermath of the CHANGE prove all rightfully concerned supporters including this writer and skeptics and cynics wrong!

Beware! O' corrupt ones! Anna has arrived! And, the legend lives on!

Anti-Corrupt Fascists?

The point is not about your anti-corruption stance. The point is about you going out with knives and daggers to attack the corrupt . The trend is growing increasingly dangerous. The beginning of the species called anti-corrupt fascists?

A stalwart of Indian politics, the present Agriculture Minister and former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and an octogenarian, Sharad Pawar was attacked at a public place in the national capital, New Delhi. The youthful unemployed attacker was supposedly angry at corrupt politicians and was the same person who attacked the sentenced former minister Sukh Ram a few days back.

From the highest level of the nation to the masses, everybody wholeheartedly condemned the assault and expressed shock at this incident happening in a democratic nation. The opposition parties also condemned and Team Anna condemned it too, but with a difference that was too obvious.

There was a ‘but’ in their condemnation. The largest national opposition party said while condemning the incident that the people of India were restless and angry with the continuous inflation. Anna Hazare, the crusader against corruption, was reported to have reacted initially as ‘…Only one slap?’ and then going on hastily to condemn all such physical attacks. Another member of Team Anna, Kiran Bedi also seemed to justify the action even though condemning it and she went on to say that politicians would be targeted if the Bill was not passed soon. .

At various points of the national movement against corruption Anna Hazare and his members uttered veiled threats like ‘face the consequences if the anti-corruption Bill is not passed’ or ‘people will no longer tolerate delays’.

In a democracy the people have the right to protest and Mahatma Gandhi had taught just that with astounding victories. But the person who was fondly called the Second Gandhi of India has been indirectly inspiring the masses particularly the youths to violence.

Politics abounds both in corruption practices and in anti-corruption movements. And, both ways politics finally makes the people intolerant and angry.

But the solution for venting the anger is definitely not through guns, knives and daggers. The largest democracy of the world is at deadly turn to a dead-end. Fascists are fascists, they have no ideals-either pro or against.

Meanwhile protests in Maharashtra are spreading far and wide with the call for Pune bandh today. Effigies of Anna Hazare had also been burnt in a place not far away from his native village.

Movement Against Corruption: Leadership Slots Still Open!

Basically, the politicians of India have failed miserably to deliver on curbing the menace of corruption and black money. Huge and huger scams kept on surfacing making the masses disillusioned. So, social activists, saints, god-men and the like have come to occupy the center stage starting a movement against corruption. Anna Hazare, who was relatively unknown outside Maharashtra, sat on fast in the national capital in April, 2011 and became a national hero eliciting unprecedented mass support. Many political parties and leaders wanted to be a part of this, but Anna was firm keeping the movement non-political.

Ramdev Baba, the Yoga-guru who made his billions all over the world running two television channels and stigmatized by the alleged murder of his own guru, saw this and thought why not have some political power and clout. He picked up black money issue which is only the other side of a larger issue of corruption. He started his fast unto death at Ramleela Ground, New Delhi yesterday, the June 4th. Some frustrated political parties with right-wing leaning joined him at the platform. Incredible things happened yesterday, the ambiance, the huge crowd, Ramdev's loud and punching speeches beating his normally calm Yoga preachings, the live press conferences, the Government of India coming now and then for the continuing talks for ending the fast and so on.. Live on most news channels all over India that electrifying show would have put Bollywood blockbusters to shame.

When things were marching towards an exciting end with the Government agreeing to most of the demands, the Baba thought otherwise maybe unwilling to leave the 'live' platform. So, the Government's indignation led to the midnight mayhem with New Delhi police uprooting Baba and his supporters from the venue with tear gas shells, lathi charge and maybe firing of bullets in air. Well, the Government would hardly tolerate the apparently right-wing political drama happening right in front of their courtyard in spite of their genuine efforts, but the tactics they adopted were indeed undemocratic almost reminding of British atrocities in the pre-independence era. Now, they have given an extended lease of life to desperate political parties for taking forward their opposition drives almost on everyday basis from now onwards.Worse, Anna Hazare had to condemn this too and now his movement against corruption is on uncertain grounds.

When Anna Hazare along with his civil society members in the Lokpal (Ombudsmen) committee against corruption were carrying on the fight effectively where was the need for another movement? But as we have said political leaders were desperate for being a part of it and now the Ramdev Baba episode have thrown open an unending stream of slots for leadership for which the bids must have started already.

But what about the issue of corruption? Well, I already told you to be personally honest and enjoy!

The Hisar Connection!

Article first published as The Hisar Connection! on Technorati.

Anna Hazare, the great crusader against corruption in India, and his civil society members had campaigned heavily to get the candidate of Congress, main political party in the ruling coalition of India, defeated in the Hisar by-election for Indian Parliament held on October 13, 2011.

Hisar is situated in the Indian state of Haryana. What would have been a routine listless by-election on account of the death of the seating candidate has become a nationwide rage thanks to Anna Hazare and his team’s campaign as a part of the mass movement against corruption.

Team Anna had been asserting continuously their apolitical character and that they had no political ambitions. They said their only motive was to pressurize the government for the fast passage of a strong anti-corruption Bill in the winter session of Parliament starting November, 2011. But once you ask the people not to vote for a particular candidate you are indirectly supporting the rival candidates and by all accepted standards this means politicking. So, there had been ongoing mud-slinging and political banter.

The polling in Hisar was over seventy percent.

The Congress party is said to be resigned to defeat because it was the only seat the party lost in its sweeping victory in 2009 general elections in Haryana. So, only a worse than 2009 loss could mean some victory for Team Anna and if such a thing happens then Anna is most likely to claim it as the verdict of the masses against corruption.

But claiming any political victory amounts to a political victory only and by accepting it Team Anna’s avowed apolitical character is set to take a beating. In case of a surprise win for the Congress the scenario would be the worst for Team Anna. Apart from losing their apolitical character this would amount to a demoralizing political failure.

All attention is focused on the outcome expected tomorrow, October 17, 2011. But meantime Anna has started his vow of silence for self-purification from today. Now, with all the confusing questions and claims for victory or defeat Anna is going to be silent. If the onus of answering or claiming fall on the disputed members of Team Anna…well…confusion is likely to be confounded!

Whatever happens, the Hisar Connection is finally going to establish Team Anna’s political character beyond doubt.

Whether a civil society leading a mass movement against corruption should become a political body or not would be altogether a separate topic of intense debate set to continue indefinitely.

    

Now Showing: The Greatest Fasting Spectacle On Earth!

Anna Hazare was arrested early morning yesterday and was reportedly allowed to go free by evening. But since then, Anna Hazare has been refusing to leave Tihar Jail, Delhi that has meantime become a tourist spot globally. Apart from people of all walks of life having an electrifying time out there bestowed with generous attention by the ecstatic news channels 24 hours a day, famed spiritualists, self styled saints babas sadhus and what not have congregated there to mediate and convince Anna that the jail was not a very healthy place to live in for long and that too inhabited by very embodiments of corruption he was fighting against.Even the harassed jailors politely asked Anna to leave as soon as possible.

But Anna is not convinced at all. He wants  to fast unto death wherever he is and will  leave only if he is allowed to carry on at a prime venue of the national capital. The problem does not stop there as the question of how long to fast is the basic issue. The hapless government offers him the same venue where the fraud Baba staged his antics leading to a controversial endgame only recently and also offers him 7 to 10 days of splendid fasting. One channel citing sources said that Team Anna was more or less agreeing to that, but some member did not agree, wanting at least a month. So, now the fight of 'Our Bill' Vs 'Your Bill' has transformed into 'Our Conditions' Vs 'Your Conditions'! Extraordinary! People fight hard for food while these noble souls are fighting to fast!

We tend to see a plot there if we think like a commercial formula film producer. You obviously know the impact of a sympathy wave if you create tragic conflicts tension and drama. Now, with Anna languishing in a jail is some sympathy and he out of jail is no sympathy unless he goes empty stomach for as many days as possible-at least a month. Civil society members who have become global celebrities thanks to Anna just cannot afford to let go. The greatest fasting show of the world must be continued at all costs.

The question is how the government failed to anticipate this plot and walked straight into the trap watched gleefully by the opposition political parties. While the government is having the worst of both worlds, the opposition is devouring the cake and the pudding too! 

If corruption was a man of flesh and blood he would have already laughed himself to death setting free the wonder that is India completely! What?

Did someone utter 'Lokpal Bill'? Well, we completely forgot about it! Anyway, what was that?  If you know kindly  spread the knowledge among the captive crowds littering streets and campuses in many parts of the country day and night chanting only 'Anna', 'Anna'!

Lokpal Bill Passed in Lok Sabha! No History, Only Confusion!

After nearly twelve hour debate the lower house of the Indian Parliament, Lok Sabha, passed the Lokpal (anti-corruption Ombudsmen) Bill by a voice vote just before 11 pm yesterday. In the process ten amendments had been conceded by the ruling coalition owing to demands by opposition political parties.

Yet nobody rejoiced over this historic beginning. Only dirty politics lingered on and an ill Anna Hazare continued his fast making the common man the most bewildered one. Team Anna’s flop show in Mumbai with just 10000 supporters around was put in sharp contrast by heavy politicking on the floor throughout the day.

While Team Anna kept on blaming and thundering on the government, specifically the Congress party, for cheating the Indian people it was very clear in the lower house that no political party wanted a strong Bill. The main opposition, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who has been the mainstay support group for Team Anna, had in fact tried by all means to delay the Bill further and differed on the basic issue of establishing Lokpal counterpart in the states (Lokayukta) on the excuse of a threat to the federal system of governance in India. Its lobbying made it amply clear that in the states ruled by the party corruption was only a ‘state’ issue. At the end of it the Party had its victory cry defeating the Constitutional Amendment Bill for granting a constitutional status to Lokpal. Since this practical proposal was originally suggested by Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi it was anathema for all.

Thanks to the series of scams in the last two years the BJP’s only focus had been to go on embarrassing the government for short-term and even long-term election gains. Yesterday, on a real people’s issue and on a movement for removing rampant corruption from the country the party still chose the same strategy finally proving its hollow support for Anna and its absolute lack of any meaningful policy.

Team Anna refuses still to realize the facts. In fact, Anna again declared his intention of opposing Congress in the forthcoming elections if five states and even in the general elections in 2014. So, he know at least the fact that nothing is going to happen till then which is always ensured by the BJP. Is Team Anna or has it always been a mouthpiece of this party? Facts are overpoweringly in favor of such a premise. To make the confusion confounded, Anna Hazare had reportedly invited the controversial yoga guru Baba Ramdev to join his fast. Why? For attracting more crowds or some other sinister political design? Team Anna seems to be learning the art of opportunism very fast thanks maybe to its mainstay political party or parties. 

Finally, the citizens of India must decide how and in what method the evil of corruption is to be eliminated from their country. 

Crucial Time For Team Anna!

Anna Hazare and the key members of his team have been threatening, pointing fingers and gesticulating all the while as if they wanted to give justice to their followers overnight. Their deadline was December 27, 2011 for passing the Lokpal Bill (anti-corruption Ombudsman) in the Indian Parliament having all the features they wanted. Or else fast, agitation and God knows what more!
Maybe Team Anna never expected that to happen! And, more importantly almost in the way they demanded! So it's now of crucial importance what Team Anna does next!
The government of India presented the Lokpal Bill in the lower house of the Indian Parliament yesterday-22nd of December-as promised. Not only that! The session has been extended too by three days allowing fruitful debate. The Bill also has included almost all the features demanded by Team Anna-except for the issue of keeping Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI ) out of the ambit of the Bill. Some other features have been modified considering practicality implications.
Team Anna-hungry as ever for mass attention- immediately took the ruse and started to shout of fast, agitation and God knows what more!
Now to consider one aspect, despite criticism of government influence the CBI has been a very professional and efficient agency over the decades. Most states of India-even with ruling parties opposed to central government-do ask for CBI intervention for any complex and critical cases. Till date CBI remians the most respectable central investigative agency of the country.
So, Anna Hazare must decide first how much he understands of criminal cases, economic frauds and espionage cases. Before going on playing to his mass followers he must explain how well he is going to perform on anti-corruption litigation.
In the best interest of the country the Bill must be debated upon and eventually passed during the three-day extension period from 27th December. Team Anna must also shift their focus from only 'Target Congress' to the larger country. Their obsessed focus has been making opposition political parties their natural allies, but some of these parties are opposed to some very basic features of the Bill demanded by Anna. Team Anna must be non-political while at the same time they must understand the political games played by their 'natural allies'.
Let us hope India's anti-corruption movement create a historical beginning early next week! No more blackmail, only victory please!

The Hisar Connection--Team Anna Claims Victory!

Article first published as The Hisar Connection--Team Anna Claims Victory! on Technorati.

The suspense drama over the Hisar by-election has finally ended. Kuldeep Bishnoi of the Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) supported by the country’s main opposition, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), won the three-cornered contest.

Bishnoi won only by a narrow margin over the nearest rival Ajay Chautala of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). The congress candidate came as the distant third—almost the same scenario of 2009 general elections.

The irrepressible Team Anna member, Arvind Kejriwal, has already claimed victory and sent out a message to the ruling coalition led by Congress that ‘the result is a lesson to learn from’. But the winning candidate dismisses Team Anna’s campaign as ‘no impact’! The Congress too writes off any Anna effect as it never won the seat since 2004.

Now, Bishnoi is the son of Bhajan Lal, a former Chief Minister of Haryana, who won this seat in 2009 and it became vacant on his death subsequently. Chautala is also a son of another former Chief Minister of the state and the fight was basically between these two. The only difference between them could be that the Chautala rule had more records of corruption cases!

The real twist for Bishnoi came from the last minute BJP support and exactly here the Anna effect could be palpable, because the BJP has been reaping the maximum mileage out of Team Anna’s anti-Congress or rather anti-Corruption campaign. Thanks to the huge scams unearthed during last two years the Congress has come to be literally identified with corruption. And Congress being in the ruling coalition or the government is naturally the only target. Corruption is common to most political parties, but only the party in power becomes the big target.

Kejriwal is quick to clarify that Team Anna opposed the Congress candidate only and did not support the other candidates. But once you dabble in politics things get really complex.

Since Anna Hazare in now ‘silent’ and his team is in a critical transition, the final word on the new political identity of Team Anna cannot be delivered as yet. Team Anna must realize their responsibilities better, because the millions supporting a noble cause may be easily misguided by petty politicking and insincere words.

In another by-poll in Anna’s home state of Maharashtra a sure-shot candidate jointly supported by the Congress was defeated by the BJP, though by the narrowest of margins. The significant fact is that the said candidate was the wife of the earlier candidate belonging of course to a different party who expired recently. Now, this could the real impact of the Anna wave.

But finally, what matters is what a political party does after being voted into power!

Politics Of Corruption: Common Man Rule In Delhi Extended As AAP Wins Trust Vote!

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal won the trust motion in Delhi Assembly on Thursday, January 2, 2014 on a voice vote, 37 in favor and 32 against. After an eventful day on the floor of the house Congress maintained its promise of outside support and with its 8 members (7 voted) ensured an AAP victory. One additional vote came from the lone Janata Dal-United member and the independent member making the mathematics clear—AAP (28) +Congress (7) +JD-U (1) + Ind.(1)=37. The main national opposition BJP had been objecting from the beginning for clear reasons—that being the single largest party in the assembly they could not or rather did not form the government; that it always maintained AAP as being opportunistic or immoral for obtaining support from the very political party (Congress) which they identified with corruption and became a political entity fighting tooth and nail against it from Anna Hazare days and that when Congress is on one side the traditional rival BJP cannot but oppose, additionally because the future of their Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi depends on how effectively they carry on their non-stop diatribe against Congress or Corruption. At the moment BJP does not seem to have any other election strategy.

In an unprecedented anti-corruption wave that changed the politics in the capital of the country AAP, in its first political venture, became the second largest party in Delhi Assembly Elections. With outside support from Congress and emboldened by a public referendum favoring formation an AAP government Arvind Kejriwal, the quintessential common man, was sworn in as the youngest Chief Minister of Delhi on 28^th December, 2013. It seemed like a scene straight out of a Bollywood blockbuster with the struggling hero finally in power maybe for a day or few more. However, now it turns out to be more real than reel. The General Elections being just round the corner and the anti-corruption movement capturing public attention Congress could ill-afford go against AAP. The party had already got the anti-corruption Lokpal Bill passed by befriending a desolate Anna Hazare and later its high command had forced the Maharashtra Government to review the Adarsh Report earlier rejected in Nagpur Session of Maharashtra Legislature. In fact, on the same day the Maharashtra Cabinet has partially accepted the Report promising legal action against the guilty officers, but failing to find any criminality involved against the six political leaders implicated by the Judicial Commission on Adarsh. The Opposition led by BJP is far from happy and is demanding a special session of the legislature. Yes, BJP too has to be against corruption, but it cannot afford to ally with Congress except for a 'larger' Lokpal Bill and also cannot afford not to allow Yeddurappa, the corruption personified of Karnataka, come back into the party. Well, the kind of corruption-compulsions doing rounds in political circles of the country! For the Congress the problem is corruption scams keep on unfolding so fast for them that by the time they take care of one more lurk round the corner.

The Common Man seems to be moving from strength to strength at the moment and why not. Honest and transparent governance has been a distant dream and now it is being realized in the capital of the country. Arvind Kejriwal broke away from Anna Hazare to enter politics with the aim of cleaning the system from within, and his party's chosen election symbol is also the broom. The Indian citizens have solid good reasons to be optimistic. The Common Kejriwal Man Government has already put an end to the rampant VIP culture by refusing to travel by official cars or to put on the red beacons. It has also fulfilled two major election promises, namely supplying about 700 liters of free water and reducing electricity rates by half for Delhi commoners. The only caution AAP needs is not to get bowled over by populist agenda and try hard on good, economically sensible and efficient governance apart from being honest, simple and straight forward.

In Hindi Aam Aadmi means ‘common man’, and AAPmeans ‘You (respectfully)’. Therefore, it is basically ‘AAP KI SARKAR’ Or ‘YOUR GOVERNMENT’.  No way for any complaints, the common man can only feel happy about it and hope AAP to spread far and wide in whole of India. Bigger and established political parties better fall in line. 

Tomorrow's Breakfast With Anna Hazare!

Saturday, August 27, 2011. History made at Ramlila Ground and in the Indian Parliament. A Bill that was pending since 1966 was finally realized after a day long debate in both the houses. All members of the Parliament, irrespective of their political or ideological differences, thumped approval of the Jan Lokpal Bill Draft resolution which will now go to the Standing Committee for making it into a law. Let's pass over now whatever happened in the past 12 days and only celebrate for Anna Hazare, the Indian democracy and the Indian people.

The final moments of victory! Anna Hazare addressed the sea of humanity at Ramlila ground--his posture strong and positive, his voice strong and resonant--not at all indicating that this 74 year old crusader against corruption had been living only on plain water for the past twelve days. 'This victory belongs to all of you-supporting me day and night all over the country for the past days. And this only half the battle won. We have to carry on our movement for the most important other half.' The second Gandhi invited all of India to join him for breakfast at Ramlila ground tomorrow morning, the 28th of August, at 10am. And of course, the most loved and respected man in India at the moment appealed to all to maintain peace in all forms of celebrations.

A historic day with all the drama, all the classical twists and turns till the last moment of the final triumph. Citizens, activists, spiritualists, journalists, experts--all were glued to the intense activities throughout the day and even the victory at the last moment seemed to have eluded them all. The voice vote which was expected to be taken up in both houses of Parliament did not take place. Everybody including media presenters were puzzled smelling another conspiracy. But the Parliament upheld the great Indian democratic tradition with all its members thumping the resolution to victory. Like a true suspense story it kept everyone guessing and finally gasping at the ultimate triumph.

Celebrations are on from Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra to Ramlila ground at the national capital and across all villages, towns, cities and metros of India. Rightly so. Finally corruption has a deadly enemy to deal with--the Indian people! Jai Hind!

Team Anna: A Classic Case of Impatience?

The basic question is ‘why Team Anna has to oppose or support a political party’. Anna Hazare and all his civil society members repeatedly declared their ‘apolitical’ nature and that they had no political ambitions. Then, why don’t they understand that opposing a political party has to be a political act, because the act becomes an indirect support for other parties. Already reeling under charges of having right-wing fundamentalist support Team Anna is not doing any better by asking people not to vote for Congress.

The Government had given a note on the historic evening of August 27, 2011 indicating their support for three basic demands of Jan Lokpal Bill and asserted its commitment to bring the Bill in the winter session of Parliament starting November.

But Team Anna is continuing with its never ending threats charges and invectives thus giving an open invitation to all political parties to indulge in mud-slinging. Kejriwal had sort of clarified that ‘we are appealing to people not to vote for Congress till it passes the Bill’. Just what is meant by this? Now you vote for the opposition parties and after the Bill is passed revert back to voting for Congress?  Are the Indian people so gullible? Supporting a great and noble cause does not make the supporters absolutely blind fools! On the other hand main opposition political parties are just cashing on the unexpected or maybe expected windfall thanks to Team Anna!

Team Anna, just why don’t you wait for the winter session to begin? Yes, it seems to be a classic case of impatience for a handful of individuals who have been riding on unprecedented national and international limelight. How could they afford to get forgotten or unnoticed ever for a day! Right?

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