Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Thursday declared that he had no desire to become a presidential candidate, nor will he ever be associated with any political party or outfit.
Hitting back at Congress leader Digvijay Singh, Mr. Hazare said the charge of RSS support to his campaign was an attempt at defaming him.
Referring to Mr. Singh's charge that the BJP was planning to make him a candidate in the presidential elections next year, Mr. Hazare said: “It was reported somewhere that the Congress was planning to do so. I'm neither capable nor interested in this and wonder why the BJP and the Congress are talking in the air.”
In a strongly-worded letter running into eight pages, Mr. Hazare told Mr. Singh that “false allegations of RSS support to his anti-corruption campaign will not cut ice with people who were interested in getting rid of corruption form their lives.”
“Misleading people”
Charging Mr. Singh with misleading the people by linking his campaign with the RSS and the BJP, he recalled that his sustained campaign in Maharashtra had led to the ouster of several Ministers and the fall of the BJP alliance in the State.
Mr. Hazare said if the government brings in the Jan Lokpal Bill in the winter session and takes steps to bring the Lokayukta Act in each State, then there would be no need to agitate or ask people not to vote for the Congress. “We have said ‘do not vote for the Congress' but not said that ‘vote for this party or that.' We said people should vote for a good candidate whether he is from the ruling party or the Opposition. If the Congress wants, it can bring the Jan Lokpal Bill and take advantage.”
Advani’s yatra
Referring to BJP leader L.K. Advani's rath yatra against corruption, the social activist said the party should take steps to appoint Lokayuktas in States ruled by it. “But we do not find much difference between the Congress and the BJP on this.”
