Will support like-minded party: Anna

Anti-corruption campaigner Anna Hazare on Tuesday said he is ready to support any like-minded and non-corrupt political party, even if it’s a new outfit, but will not join politics himself. HT reports.

Anti-corruption campaigner Anna Hazare on Tuesday said he is ready to support any like-minded and non-corrupt political party, even if it’s a new outfit, but will not join politics himself.

HT Image

“All good and clean people from various political parties should come together and form a new political outfit. I will support them to make the nation strong,” Hazare said in Ralegan Siddhi, his native village, around 85 km from here.

The 74-year-old was, however, adamant about not contesting elections himself.

“There are 125 crore people in the country and if they want to talk against corruption, do they all have to contest elections?” he asked.

“I would rather fight from outside to ensure only good people enter Parliament.”

Hazare, who spent the entire day giving interviews to national and regional news channels, criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for “lacking any authority and grip over his cabinet”.

Replying to questions on allegations about source of funds for his massive anti-corruption campaign, Hazare said: “Are the people who write such things honest? People see the world through the lens they wear.”

Hazare also slammed Bharatiya Janata Party leader LK Advani’s proposed yatra against corruption.

“If the BJP is serious on the issue of corruption, why don’t all the states ruled by the party enact legislation for appointing Lokayuktas (ombudsmen),” he said. “It is just a gimmick to get votes.”

The BJP said it had not sought Hazare’s support and it was “not necessary” for the party and the Gandhian to agree on every issue.

BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said in New Delhi: “To support BJP or not is Anna’s choice. We have been fighting against corruption since 2009 and have supported (civil society) organisations that fought against it. But it is not at all necessary for them to support us in this fight.”