Setting aside its inner contradictions and conflicts, the core committee of India Against Corruption on Saturday decided to stay united in the face of the government's “attempts to target its members.”
Suggestions to suspend the panel or disband it were rejected outright with several members criticising their colleague who made public his letter written to social activist Anna Hazare on the issue.
Unfazed by criticism of the team's anti-Congress stance in the Hisar Lok Sabha byelection, the meeting adopted a resolution asking the Congress-led UPA government to ensure the passage of the Jan Lokpal Bill in the winter session of Parliament, failing which Team Anna would oppose the party also in the Assembly elections in five States scheduled for early next year.
“We are prepared to face the government, but it must understand that this is a people's movement, not the core committee's. Targeting us in this manner may backfire,” warned activist Arvind Kejriwal.
The resolution said that while other candidates in the fray in Hisar gave their assurance on backing the Jan Lokpal Bill, the Congress, which, as a ruling party, was in a position to get it passed in Parliament, did not.
Addressing the media, Mr. Kejriwal said the meeting felt there was absolutely no need for dismantling the core committee. “The meeting was of the view that lakhs of volunteers along with the core committee members have played a significant role in the movement and there was no question of dismantling it.”
The over four-hour meeting discussed several issues haunting the committee, including Prashant Bhushan's statement on a plebiscite in Kashmir, resignation of two members from the core committee, allegations of diversion of the movement's funds to an NGO run by Mr. Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi's conduct in overcharging her hosts for her air travel.
Mr. Hazare, who has taken a vow of silence, was not present, as were key members, including Santosh Hegde, Medha Patkar, Vincent M. Concessao and Kumar Vishwas, who had sought suspension of the committee. Activists P.V. Rajagopal and ‘waterman' Rajendra Singh have already resigned from the panel. Ms. Patkar was represented by her colleague Madhuresh, who circulated a note written by her.
The meeting accepted the resignation of Mr. Rajagopal and Mr. Rajendra Singh, while “regretting” that instead of discussing issues on the core committee they had declared their intention to quit through the media.
Shanti Bhushan vehemently opposed the view that Team Anna should restrict itself to speaking on corruption and said members should not be expected to clam up on issues of national importance, especially if they had been active in those areas before coming into the anti-corruption movement. He was defending his son, Mr. Prashant Bhushan, on his remarks on Kashmir.
Finally, it was agreed that members “would be cautious and use their judgment while commenting on issues other than corruption and the Right to Reject and the Right to Recall.”
The committee defended Mr. Kejriwal on allegations of diversion of anti-corruption movement funds to the NGO run by him saying a decision to this effect was taken by the core committee under the aegis of Mr. Hazare.
Ms. Bedi was given an opportunity to respond to the allegations that she overcharged her hosts for business class air fares while travelling in economy class. “The meeting felt there is no corruption involved. At best it is a matter between Ms. Bedi and those who invited her. If anyone felt wronged they can demand the money back and so far no one has come forward,” Mr. Kejriwal said.
There was a suggestion to make ‘special invitees' those members who were unable to attend the meetings regularly. Mr. Hegde is one of them.
Mr. Prashant Bhushan and Mr. Kejriwal will go to Ralegan Siddhi on Sunday to brief Mr. Hazare on the meeting.
