Simmering differences between Team Anna and Aam Aadmi Party today burst out into the open when Anna Hazare ordered a frontline AAP leader out of his fast venue and village after he had a public spat with former Army Chief General V K Singh.
The snub prompted AAP to call back Gopal Rai, whom it had deputed to stay here during the entire duration of Hazare's fast as an expression of solidarity, and launch an attack on elements inimical to the Jan Lokpal movement who were "poisoning" his ears.
It all started when Singh, who has emerged a key Team Anna member after retiring from service, began castigating AAP leaders without naming them for deserting Hazare and floating a political outfit.
"When Annaji raised the voice for Jan Lokpal, many people rallied behind him but later left him. Today, they say it is because of them that there is Annaji and not because there is Annaji that they are there. Nobody can belittle something that Annaji has created.
"Today, if we have to take our nation forward, we need to unite and not float separate groups and parties," Singh said, setting off a verbal duel with Rai.
This enraged Rai, who was seated among the audience and observing fast since yesterday, and he joined issue with Singh, asking why he was raising matters other than Jan Lokpal.
"You can speak later. If what I say is not palatable to someone....You are under a misconception and keep that within you. The wrong things that you have done. Do not force me to speak further," he said.
