Politics split anti-corruption movement: Anna

Social activist Anna Hazare said that “politics has split” the anti-corruption movement.

Zeenews Bureau

New Delhi: Social activist Anna Hazare on Friday said that “politics has split” the anti-corruption movement that began nearly two years ago. In his recent blog, Anna reportedly wrote that the decision to form a political party led to the movement being divided. Expressing confidence that Lokpal Bill will be passed before 2014 Lok Sabha elections, he said "unfortunately, the movement has split even before we got the Bill. One wants to go political and the other wants to keep the movement alive." Hazare also decried efforts to link him with some parties and "communal" outfits, in an apparent reference to allegations that he is closing ranks with RSS through yoga guru Ramdev to run the anti-corruption movement after the split with the Kejriwal-led group. "Those who favour party have been saying that if Anna says, then they will not form a party. But despite that, they have decided to go ahead with the plan against my decision. Sometimes, it is also said they were forming the party because Anna has decided so. This is not right," he said. "Now, there is an effort to link me with some party, or communal organisations. I have never in my life been a part of any such organisations. Till my last breath, I will not be part of any such things...The movement has split due to politics. Efforts are on to destroy whatever is left now. People should not fall into such accusations. "As elections are nearing, some party will try to misuse my name to garner votes. They will try to associate myself with them. There will be misuse of movement`s name. You should not trust all these. The movement will remain movement only. Because it is sacred," he said. Hazare said that on August 04 in Jantar Mantar, he had made it clear that he will not form a party or join a party. "For the last 20 years, I have been part of civil society movement and in future also I will remain so. We have parted ways but our goal is the same," he said. On the next course of his movement, he said his movement now needs an office in Delhi to coordinate its affairs. "But because of lack of money, we are not able to find one. I have not taken even Rs five from the donations which came in Jantar Mantar and Ramlila Maidan. I kept all the money with IAC so that it will be spent on the movement. "But I believe even if people donate Rs 5 or ten we won`t suffer from lack of money...We have not taken any money from industrialists or from foreign agencies. We will not take in future also. We expect to open our office in Delhi soon. We have to ensure that the movement reaches every nook and corner of the country," he said. (With PTI Inputs)