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As Team Anna and tens of thousands celebrated Sunday after Anna Hazare broke his hunger strike for strong anti-corruption legislation, it was clear that more battles are around the corner. Hazare himself and his confidants said in speeches at the Ramlila ground that people should brace themselves for more such campaigns revolving around issues ranging from corruption to governance. And with Team Anna proving the potency of “People Power”, it will only be tempting to embrace the strategy again and again. For the starter, the 74-year-old Hazare declared before sipping coconut water laced with honey that only half the battle had been won in the war for a corruption-free India. He told the tens of thousands at the sprawling ground that he was only suspending his fast, not ending it, and that he would fight on until an effective Lokpal bill became a reality. He added that Indians needed the right to recall elected representatives — MPs and legislators. He also called for sweeping electoral reforms. Arvind Kejriwal, Team Anna’s most astute strategist, also underlined that India did not have participatory democracy. He said the Anna fast and the nationwide campaign for an effective Lokpal bill was the first instance when people at large became associated with the framing of legislation. Yes, parliament is supreme, he agreed, but quickly added that people were more important than any legislature. The message was not lost on the government. Law Minister Salman Khurshid, one of the five ministers who held extensive talks with Hazare and his team both before and during the fast, said civil society would henceforth be involved in law making. Team Anna is also likely to keep up the pressure on the government so that the principles of the Jan Lokpal Bill they have prepared do not get diluted over time. Their insistence on fighting it out until their three main demands were met virtually brought the Congress-led government to its knees. In the process, a government which at one time seemed dismissive of Team Anna was forced to bow to Hazare amid fears that his dragging protest could lead to terrible consequences. The political class is unlikely to give in each time. But it is equally true that it will not find it easy to brush aside civil society on any issue, irrespective of who it is led by. Hazare’s advantages are his credentials, his austere living and his previous battles with the corrupt of all hues, all of which have combined to give him a charismatic pan-India appeal. His strategy of resorting to hunger strike — a weapon Mahatma Gandhi used with devastating effect against the British — only helped him draw massive crowds. And Team Anna turned out to be politically more suave than some of the politicians who dealt with them. All this means one thing: be ready for further faceoffs between the government and civil society. Anna and Hazare-ism are here to stay.
Anna ready to endorse Modi if he leaves BJP: US media
New York: India's anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare has said that he would be "happy to endorse" Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi if he left the BJP, an American media outlet has reported. Hazare, who left for India from New York on Thursday after a nearly two-week US trip, made the remarks during an interaction with the Indian-American community, academicians and think-tanks at an event organised by the Hindu Temple in Delaware on August 20, the Huffington Post reported. "Anna Hazare did not endorse Narendra Modi. He said he did not believe in political parties and since Modi was a member of BJP, a political party, he could not endorse him. When pressed to endorse Modi as an individual, he responded by saying that if Modi left the BJP, he would be happy to endorse him," Muqtedar Khan, Associate Professor at the University of Delaware and a Fellow at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, wrote in the Huffington Post. Anna was not available for comments when approached by the PTI over phone through his US person of contact. Khan, who moderated the question and answer session at the Delaware event, wrote that for an ethical activist, it was a very political answer. "Anna was trying to get out of endorsing Modi without offending Modi's supporters. But I suspect he offended the Hindu secularists by not condemning Modi and disappointed Hindu nationalists by not clearly endorsing him," said Khan. According to Khan, Anna's activism and his stature have put corruption on the national agenda. "I am not sure if his solutions will work, but the awareness and urgency that he is generating could inspire others to come up with more realistic solutions," he wrote. The reported remarks made by Anna is quite distinct from the other statements of Anna on Modi. At an event held in the suburb of Washington on August 22, Anna had said neither Narendra Modi nor Rahul Gandhi is fit to become the Prime Minister of India.
THREE Anna Canteens in Amaravati
TDP Government has took the final call to set up three Anna Canteens in AP Capital Amaravati. On Tuesday, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu discussed about Anna Canteens with Ministers Paritala Sunitha, Narayana and Prathipati Pulla Rao. Anna Canteens will come up with areas such as Velagapudi, Thulluru and Navulluru. People will be Idly for Rs 1, Curd Rice for Rs 3 and Lemon Rice for Rs 5. Target is to provide breakfast and meals for 500 people per day. Civil Supplies Minister Paritala Sunitha shared the decisions taken during the meeting with Chief Minister with media. Already, GHMC has been providing food for Rs 5 by establishing canteens at various locations in the City. Now, AP Government wants to follow the Tamil Nadu model to attract the weaker sections.
A tribute to Anna
It seems like the world is turning towards period films. Be it up North or down South many directors are hunting for as well as filming period stories. Impressed with the filming of the film 'Periyar' there is one more film going to be made on yet another legend in Tamilnadu. This time it is on 'Perarignar' Anna. There are talks going round that A.P. Mugan will be directing the film. This director has films like 'Thenda Thenda' to his credit. When 'Periyar' was released it created ripples among the audience. It was one story that took us back in time and place to the era when Periyar lived and walked the world. Thanks to the explicit acting skills of Sathyaraj, Khushboo, Jyothirmayi and the entire team. A.P. Mugan who will be directing the film of Anna got the script from none other that Dr. Parimalam, the late son of Anna. Though Anna was a giant in the political as well as the cine front, this film will touch base with only one aspect of Anna's life. This film will zoom into the life of Anna Durai and the contributions from him to the cine field. The film might also be titled as 'Kalai Ulagathil Anna'. Watch this space for more updates!
Rajinikanth Supports Anna Hazare
Superstar Rajinikanth is planning to join the fast in support of Anna Hazare at the biggest stadium in Delhi, Ramlila ground. However, doctors have advised the 60-year-old actor extreme caution when it comes to his health... In lieu of these concerns, Rajinikanth is, at least, expected to release a statement in support of Anna Hazare's fight against corruption. In an email sent to India Against Corruption on Tuesday, Rajinikanth said he was happy that an able and dedicated leader like Anna Hazare is leading the fight against corruption. “No doubt corruption is a virus disease that needs to be weeded from the Indian society. I am happy that we have an able and dedicated leader in Anna Hazare to lead us in the fight against corruption. I wholeheartedly support the India Against Corruption movement in their campaign to get the Jan Lokpal bill legislated in the parliament", the actor said. Rajinikanth also applauded all the Indians who lent their support to the this Anna Hazare's revolution'. "This kind of peaceful movement is possible only in India which is the birth place of Sathyagraha," Rajinikanth said.
Rajini’s email to Anna Hazare
Rajini’s email to team Anna Hazare is the hot topic these days in Kollywood. The Superstar has praised Anna for spearheading a cause that is so important today. He has extended his full support to team Anna Hazare for their fight against corruption. Rajini is reported to have said in that email, that he will welcome the Lok Pal as it would bring an end to corruption which is ruling the roost is all spheres. It may be mentioned here that Rajini had offered his wedding hall in Chennai free of cost for the members of the Anna group to stage their fast.