Business Standard

No crack in anti-corruption movement: Anna supporters

Image

Press Trust of India New Delhi

Supporters of anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare today dismissed as "baseless" reports of cracks in their movement on the issue of drafting of an effective Lokpal Bill, alleging "conspiracies" are being "hatched" to weaken the agitation.

"There is no substance in these reports. The reports said Kiran Bedi has parted ways with us. Medha Patkar is not supporting us. But they are here. They are strongly backing the movement," Arvind Kejriwal, a prominent RTI activist and a key figure in Hazare's movement, said.

Terming the reports of cracks as "totally baseless", he alleged conspiracies are being hatched to derail the movement which has received spontaneous support of people from across the country.

 

"We are all united. Kiran Bedi was not well yesterday. She is back today. Medha Patekar is here as well," the Magsaysay Award-winning activist said.

Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, whose absence yesterday at the protest site had triggered reports of a crack in the movement, said she was very much with the movement and will continue to extend all her support to it.

She said she could not be present yesterday as she was suffering from severe throat problem and was advised rest.

"I was not well and doctors had asked me to take rest. I am with Hazare. It is my fortune that I am getting an opportunity to work with him. This is a peoples' movement and we all are united," Bedi said.

Patkar, addressing the gathering, said the movement against corruption has received support of people from all walks of life and claimed there were no differences of opinion.

"We are fighting for a cause which affects everybody. This is a movement which is bound to frighten the government. We must continue our agitation agianst corruption," Patkar, known for her role in Narmada Bachao Andolan, said.

Hazare's fast unto death at Jantar Mantar to press for a Jan Lokpal Bill to deal with corruption in high places entered fourth day today.

Don't miss the most important news and views of the day. Get them on our Telegram channel

First Published: Apr 08 2011 | 7:18 PM IST

Explore News