Team Anna to dump Bhushan? Hazare says we'll decide

Distancing himself from Prashant Bhushan's statement on Kashmir, Anna Hazare said the team did not like his statement, it was the lawyer-activist's personal views. He said it has to be decided whether we will keep him in the team or not.

Anna Hazare on Friday distanced himself from Prashant Bhushan on the issue of plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir, saying it was not the team's stand and the lawyer-activist was airing his personal views.

"Prashant Bhushan's statement (on Kashmir) is not the views of the team. He has never asked the team. These are his personal views. The team is not responsible for the comments. We are not in agreement with him," Hazare told reporters in Ralegan Siddhi.

"We didn't like this (statement). It is not our view," he said.

Bhushan had triggered a controversy by supporting the idea of holding plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir following which he was attacked by three youths belonging to a right-wing group two days ago.

Hazare said Kashmir is an integral part of the country and he would do whatever he could do for the state. "Kashmir is an integral part of the country and it will remain so and we will have to do whatever we have to ensure this. This mindless argument on the issue should stop."

The 74-year-Gandhian said Bhushan should seek permission for airing views on behalf of the team. "But for personal comments, what is the need for permission," he said.

Asked whether Bhushan, a key member of the team who was also a member of the joint committee to draft Lokpal bill, will be removed from the team, Hazare said it has to be decided later.

"The points he has made are not good. We will decide in future whether we will keep him or not," he said.

On Thursday, a key team Anna member Kiran Bedi said the remarks made by Bhushan were his personal views. "This is Bhushan's personal view. I am for better governance and people integration of Jammu and Kashmir," Bedi, who is currently in Amsterdam, had said.