Amid reports of their rapidly deteriorating health, the Anna Hazare-led fasting activists have decided they would call it off tomorrow and launch a political alternative.
This followed a letter from 13 eminent citizens representing the judiciary, the armed forces, the bureaucracy and civil society, urging the activists to end their fast, citing the lack of response from the government.
While the activists had earlier spoken of continuing the fast till the government accepted their demand to probe charges of corruption against 14 Cabinet ministers, the letter proved a turning point, one the Congress termed “an exit plan” and a “face saver”.
The letter urged the activists to provide a political alternative to the set-up existing on Thursday. It stated the activists should “give up expectations from this establishment” and focus on creating an alternative political force that was democratic, accountable, ethical, non-violent and capable of leading an electoral revolution to democratise and decentralise power and make the power structure of the country more accountable to the people. It added Indian democracy stood at the crossroads and needed a wind of change, adding the activists should “accept this historic challenge”.
The activists heeded the appeal, announcing their intent to go political. The announcement seemed to be the culmination of what was already brewing within the team. In an interview with Business Standard before the agitation, Kejriwal had said the 2014 elections would be very significant. The nature of the political alternative Anna and his colleagues have in mind is, however, still unclear.
Kumar Vishwas, a Team Anna member, said the decision did not necessarily mean the activists would launch a party or contest elections. Anna Hazare and most of his team members have ruled out contesting elections.
Responding to Team Anna’s announcement, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said: “We have always said these people seem inspired by politics….I am glad they have gone ahead.” Her party member and Congress general-secretary Digvijay Singh said his opinion about Team Anna’s real intention had now been confirmed. “People should see for themselves the reality behind this ‘MOVEMENT’!,” Singh stated on Twitter.
