'Will never contest elections', says Anna Hazare

Ralegan (Maharashtra), Sept 8 (ANI): Amid talks of formation of new political party by his aides, anti graft crusader Anna Hazare on Saturday said he would never contest elections.

Denying his foray into politics, Hazare told reporters that the people of this country will have the discretion to decide whether he should form a political party or not.

"I will not contest election even if people of the country give us permission to form a party. I have decided this that I will never form a political party and will never fight in elections," he said.

Hazare along with his key associates would be holding meeting in north and south India to evaluate people's will for the forming a his political party.

Hazare added that they would have to abide by what people decide as this fight is for them.

"We have to go out in public and listen what public wants. Public has to decide this because we are doing all this work for people. If majority of people do not agree with the idea, then we will have to stand by that," he said.

Hazare had recently made announcement through his blog of disbanding of his team.

As reported, Hazare has written in his blog that Team Anna or Team Anna Core Committee, which was formed to get Lokpal Bill passed in parliament, will no more exist and that they would also not hold any more talks with the government.

Hazare had then announced his decision to provide a political alternative to people in the next 2014 national polls to achieve their aim to get a Lokpal legislation passed in parliament.

Earlier in the day, Hazare held a meeting with his close associates Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and others to decide the candidate who would represent their party for contesting the elections. (ANI)