Centre was rigid on the Anna issue: Bhaiyyu Maharaj

Spiritual leader Bhaiyyu Maharaj, involved in back-channel negotiations with the Anna Hazare team, on Monday said the central government showed rigidity during the initial stages of the protest by arresting him.

Spiritual leader Bhaiyyu Maharaj, involved in back-channel negotiations with the Anna Hazare team, on Monday said the central government showed rigidity during the initial stages of the protest by arresting him.

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Condemning Hazare's arrest on August 16, the close aide of the 74-year-old crusader said, "Is masle mein sarkar nei shuruaat mein prayapt lachilapan nahin dikhaya (On this issue, the government did not have a flexible approach in the beginning)."

Maharaj, whose real name is Udai Singh Deshmukh, however, expressed satisfaction that the impasse is over now and he had a role to play.

"I am happy and satisfied that I could play a role in the matter of national importance and act as a mediator."

He said it was a modern edition of 'JP andolan' and there was a strong resentment among the public against corruption.