Team Anna ends fast, plans 'political alternative'

New Delhi, Aug 3 (ANI): In a major sigh of relief for the Congress-led UPA Government, Team Anna members broke their indefinite fast the Jantar Mantar here on Friday.

Former army chief General V.K. Singh, who shared the dais with Team Anna members, offered coconut water to the 75-year-old veteran social activist to break his six-day long fast.

Team Anna memberes Arvind kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Gopal Rai, who have been fasting for last ten days, since july 25, also ended their fast.

General Singh, who had locked horns with the government on the age issue prior to his retirement, was one of the 22 eminent personalities, who had urged civil society activists to end their fast against graft.

Bollywood actor Anupam Kher, who read out the statement of solidarity from 22 prominent citizens of the country earlier on Thursday said the government was not responding to the fast and was not paying heed to the protest.

"The government has turned its back to the agitation and has also not shown political will to punish corrupt people. The opposition also does not fare well on the issue. Do not expect anything from this political class," the letter said.

"We request Anna Hazare and other fasting activists to channelise their efforts in setting up a political alternative, to give a responsive, democratic and non-violent system. Indian democracy needs a new direction. We request the people who are fasting to accept this historical challenge and call off their fast," it added.

Anna Hazare yesterday said that he and his team members would end their fast on Friday, and added that his aides 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 have always been power-hungry and must contest elections to prove its claim of representing the will of the people.

The standoff between the UPA and Team Anna intensified after the latter demanded the setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of retired judges of Supreme and High Courts, to probe charges of corruption against 15 cabinet ministers, including the Prime Minister. (ANI)