By Krushna Bhala
Recipient of the Padma Shri in 1990, Padma Bhushan in 1992, NDTV Indian of the Year in 2011, Anna Hazare truly deserves them all. From turning a barren land to an “ideal village model” for the state of Maharashtra, from uniting India at a point of time against the major issue of corruption, Anna Hazare was touted as “Aaj ka Gandhi”. Leading a successful team under him which included the likes of Kiran Bedi, V.K Singh, Arvind Kejriwal, Medha Patkar, the strong Team Anna soon split on the issue of directly engagement in the political system. Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan, Kumar Vishwas formed the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) and Kiran Bedi, V.K Singh remained Anna loyalists. The next thing that Anna saw was the rise of Arvind Kejriwal and his party gaining momentum and support among masses.
Anna felt sidelined. Watching his shishya rise and he being reduced to a mere spectator, Anna conducted a series of hunger strikes post the successful 288 hour August 16, 2011 protest against corruption. The difference between the first hunger strike and the later ones was that each saw reduced participation across the country. Anna, in all his rallies criticized the AAP of using his name, questioned them about their fundings, ridiculed Arvind as Early in 2014, With all rival parties passing a weak version of the Lokpal bill in the Parliament in a win-win situation, curbing Arvind Kejriwals rising popularity post his party performing extremely well in the Delhi elections and also answering the people on the sensitive issue of corruption, Anna came in full support of the bill and exchanged thank you letters with Rahul Gandhi. Although, the draft so passed did not include many provisions for which Anna had gone on fasts, he accepted it readily saying that once this bill passed, necessary amendments would be made in the same.
Team Anna 1.0 had split over some members in the favour of direct membership in the political system while others, including Anna were in the favour of distancing themselves from the disgusting world of politics. Team Anna 2.0 included members like Kiran Bedi, V.K Singh. But, only recently, were the members of Team Anna 2.0 talking about their political ambitions. V.K Singh joined the BJP, Kiran Bedi told the media that if she contests the elections, she will only contest against Arvind Kejriwal, and Anna himself supported Mamta Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress(TMC). So, the very reason for the split of Team Anna 1.0 was hoax?
Anna Hazare supporting TMC was an act of a Guru snubbing his disciple. Though, the AAP did not have a successful stint in their 49 days governance, the Mamta government has disappointed one and all. Her government’s failure to control the increasing crime against women in Bengal has received severe criticism from all fronts and being the first woman chief minister of Bengal, she should have handled such cases more sensibly and seriously. Under Mamta’s rule, projects have been long pending. Anna supporting such a government shows little rationale. But, as they say, an opinion is personal. In his Burari meeting, Kejriwal had described his draft of Lokpal as “Anna Hazare’s Lokpal”, to which, Anna had said that he had no objection to them using his name if it were good for the society!-The real paltu being Anna himself!
Anna may have been a hero all his life, and continues to be for his deeds done in the past. But, he going against his words of not favoring any political party leaves little respect. He parted ways with one of his most trusted disciples due to this very reason.
A first year student of B.com(H) at Hindu College, University of Delhi, he is a two time state level Table Tennis player. Pursuing Actuarial Sciences along with his graduation, he loves to read, write and socialize. Along with being a keen observer of Indian politics, he also a dark attraction towards the lives of the men who rule the Underworld. Idolizes his dad and Mr. Ratan Tata, he wishes he adds value to the society the way Mr.Tata did. Could be reached at krushnabhalatt@gmail.com.
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