New Delhi:
Differences between two of the most prominent members of the disbanded Team Anna, Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, seem to be out in the open. After giving yesterday's protest a skip, Ms Bedi explained why she did not agree with Mr Kejriwal.
"I had informed the team my personal perspective that we ought to focus on the ruling party. Bracketing the Opposition right now when they are already attacking the ruling party will in fact benefit only the party in power," Ms Bedi said.
Her statement came after yesterday's protest led by Mr Kejriwal targeted BJP President Nitin Gadkari along with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi. Mr Kejriwal says the public must hold both the BJP and the Congress accountable for alleged losses of thousands of crores because nearly 50 coal blocks were allocated between 2004 and 2009 without an auction. The national auditor said in a report earlier this month that the losses could add upto 1.86 lakh crores.
"They are responsible for the current mess our country is in. They have collaborated and have ensured Parliament does not function," Mr Kejriwal said yesterday. He, along with hundreds of supporters, was stopped by the Delhi Police yesterday in their protest march in the capital towards the residences of Mr Gadkari, Dr Singh and Mrs Gandhi.
Mr Kejriwal and Ms Bedi belong to the group that used to be known as Team Anna, for their affiliation to Gandhian activist Anna Hazare. Last month, the activists said they will formal a political party and contest elections. Anna has made it clear he will not run for office or become a member of this new political force. Meanwhile, targeting both the Congress and the BJP, Anna yesterday said those whose hands are "blackened" with corruption are levelling allegations against each other and that they cannot provide any future to the country.