Team Anna‘s new avatar as a political movement could get its first test in 2013, with the new formation likely to contest the Delhi assembly elections in 2013. If finalised, this means that the movement will avoid the assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh scheduled for later this year. The BJP is in power in both these states.
India Against Corruption (IAC) has not made any official statement in this regard, but sources told Firstpost that in a meeting held on Saturday, a majority of volunteers had been of the opinion that the political formation should test the political waters in Delhi first.
Will the new collective contest Delhi assembly elections? PTI
IAC said that Team Anna, which was dissolved by Anna Hazare, would be replaced by a preparatory committee that would be tasked with chalking out the intricacies of the political formation. The decision to go political has not gone down well with many supporters of the Jan Lokpal momevement including justice Santosh Hegde, Akhil Gogoi and Medha Patkar.
Sunita Godhara, member of the earstwhile Team Anna has said that Hazare was not keen on the idea of the political formation. She said that according to Hazare, the group was not prepared for that.
However Arvind kejriwal denied any rift in the group over the political alternative. Kejriwal tweeted on Sunday saying, “Anna clearly directed us to start forming pol party. If he says even once that he doesn’t want us to do that, we will immediately withdraw”.
He claimed that Hazare heeded to public demand and is convinced that there was no road left other than providing political alternative.
“Anna has been fighting corrupt for last 30 years. He is extremely sharp politically n (sic) fiercely independent. Those projecting Anna as a gullible man may try getting Anna to say a single line against his wishes.
