Team Anna will end their indefinite hunger strike at 5 p.m. today as Veteran social activist Anna Hazare Thursday made an announcement in the regard on Thursday giving the option of 'political alternatives' to challenge the government.
Addressing the gathering at the Jantar Mantar here, Hazare said he and his team are going to end their fast on Friday, and they want feedback within 48 hours on whether they should form a political party.
Asserting that power should rest with the people in a true democracy, Hazare yesterday reiterated that there is nothing wrong in forming a political party.
Hazare said power should be with the people of the country.
"In a true democracy, power should be in the hands of the people. The power must be given to the public. Village land, village water belongs to the village. There is a government in Delhi, but in the village, we are the government. Village has the right over coal, water in the village," he said.
Hazare asked his supporters to dislodge those leaders, who don't give in to people's demand.
He, however, said that he himself would not enter politics.
"I will not get into politics. I will fight from the outside. You have to think who goes into a party. Do they have a good character? Such people only should be given a ticket. If you want to change the nation, form a party. But see who is going into that party. How will you monitor them? You have to think about that," said Hazare.
"The people who ask for your votes, whether they are right or wrong, should be monitored," he added.
The 75-year-old social activist also reiterated that the government is not serious on bringing a strong anti-graft bill to combat rampant corruption in the country.
The government, however, hit back at Team Anna, saying they must contest elections to prove its claim of representing the will of the people.
Union Information Minister Ambika Soni yesterday said that the real intention of Team Anna stands exposed today following their statements indicating their intention to form a political party.
Ambika Soni said that a few of the members in the government always felt that members of the Anna team were inching towards active politics.
"We always said that Anna Hazare's people, who were supporting him, were always inspired by politics. This was indicated by many of the stances they took and a large number of incidents. We realized that they were working on a political agenda when they spoke about Members of Parliament, criticizing all of them and others holding constitutional posts" said Soni.
Ambika Soni further said Team Anna is welcome to form its own political party and contest the elections.
"I am glad it has come out in the open today. Now people know that this is really what they wanted, to set up a political party and to come and fight elections. This is a good thing. If they want to change the system, they must know how hard it is to be a public servant," she said.
--With ANI Inputs--
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