Residents of Anna Hazare’s village Ralegan Siddhi have alleged Kiran Bedi, Arvind Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan for allegedly hijacking the anti corruption agitation.
The villagers unanimously said the trio should be kept away, in order for Hazare to be accessible not only to them, but also to those keen on holding discussions with the Gandhian. The villagers have decided to start a jail bharo agitation from Saturday to support Hazare and to pursue the Jan Lok Pal Bill.
Ralegan Siddhi resident and Hazare’s follower Vijay Waghmare told Business Standard, “The villagers are angry over the role played by Bedi, Kejriwal and Bhushan. When Anna had expressed his desire to break his fast after the government agreed to hold a debate in Parliament, Kejriwal unilaterally announced his fast would go on for another 48 hours. The villagers would like to know why Kejriwal is doing this. They were also angry since because of the trio, local politicians from various parties and social activists were unable to meet Anna.” He said the villagers hoped Hazare should immediately call off his fast, but continue his agitation.
Gulabrao Dere, chairman of a milk federation and a follower of Hazare said the time was ripe for Anna to remove the trio from scene. “Anna’s movement has become a nationwide one. He is open to dialogue. But due to the adamant views of Bedi, Kejriwal and Bhushan, he cannot do much.”
Ralegan Siddhi sarpanch Jaisingh Mapari said, “We will follow Anna’s aadesh of carrying out a peaceful agitation. Responding to Anna’s call, some of the villagers have called off their fast. The Gram Sabha has worked out a comprehensive plan for a jail bharo movement and the villagers would participate in it from Saturday.”
