Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare’s close associate, Anil Sharma, on Monday said the former did not associate with Ramdev’s agitation, as he suspected the movement would get a political colour. Sharma told Business Standard from Ralegan Siddhi that though Anna had promised to join Ramdev’s agitation against black money, he changed his mind and decided to wait and watch.
“It has now become clear today that it (Ramdev’s agitation) is a political one. Anna has made it very clear he would never be part of any political party or any political campaign... but at the same time, as he has done in Maharashtra, he can always project good candidates to fight the elections... He might also start a campaign in every state, and, thus, strengthen his movement against corruption,” Sharma said.
Former member of India Against Corruption’s core committee, Prashant Bhushan, chose to keep a safe distance from the Ramdev’s movement, saying he would not comment on it.
“We are not going to take any political side, as our fight is against corruption and not against any one party,” Sharma said. On Team Anna member Kiran Bedi joining Ramdev's agitation, Sharma said the former police officer had gone on her own and not as part of Anna’s team.
