'Anna working on political agenda for long time': Harish Rawat

New Delhi, July 27 (ANI): Minister of State for Agriculture and Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat on Friday alleged that veteran social activist Anna Hazare has been working on a political agenda for a long time.

Responding to a question on Hazare's decision to contest the elections, Rawat said every single individual or group has this right in a democracy.

"They can do it as per the rules of the Election Commission. It is not a matter of objection. And, what is worth seeing, is that he has been working on a political agenda for a long time," he said.

Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh mockingly said not only Hazare, but also his other team members, including yoga guru Baba Ramdev should contest the polls.

"I welcome his statement. Anna Hazare, Ramdev, Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi, Prashant Bhushan and Shanti Bhusan all should contest the elections," he said.

Hazare had earlier on Thursday did not rule the emergence of a 'people's party' in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, and said it is not wrong if candidates selected by the people to fight the poll choose to do so.

Hazare said he was willing to enter politics if people demanded and they could put up candidates to contest in elections.

Team Anna has launched their indefinite fast in New Delhi on Wednesday, raising the pitch against the UPA government on the issue of corruption.

Hazare's three close aides, Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Gopal Rai, are sitting on a hunger strike at the Jantar Mantar here.

The 74-year-old social activist, who is presently on a dharna, has set a 96-hour-long deadline for the government to announce a strong and effective Lokpal Bill.

Team Anna has announced the indefinite protest against the UPA Government and its failure to enact a strong Lokpal as well as not setting up a special investigation team to probe corruption charges. (ANI)