‘Anna Hazare out to malign Sharad Pawar’

The Maharashtra state Congress finds itself on the back foot as it is unable to join Nationalist Congress Party’s chorus against social reformer Anna Hazare. The NCP went into a huddle worried that its political rivals may be prodding Hazare to defame Pawar.

The Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday extended their support to Hazare’s agitation against corruption. Sena chief Bal Thackeray declared Sena’s support on the grounds that it is a people’s movement against corruption. “Our support is to the people who are fighting against corruption. We are with Anna Hazare,” Thackeray said.

State BJP chief Sudhir Mungantiwar said, “The state BJP has decided to extend full support to the crusade against corruption. We have been raising issues of corruption in the Congress and NCP government in Maharashtra. We express our solidarity with Hazare who is fighting for a good cause.”

Sensing mobilisation of public support from various walks of life, the opposition is trying to consolidate the movement to demand the Lokpal bill.

A senior NCP leader said, “The entire build-up is a political design to tarnish the image of NCP president and Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar.” Hazare has levelled corruption charges against Pawar. He had also demanded his resignation from the Union cabinet.