Anna Hazare aide’s exit: Resignation or was he asked to leave?

The apparent “resignation” of Anna Hazare’s personal assistant Suresh Pathare has created a stir. While Pathare claims that “he has resigned on personal grounds”, sources close to Hazare said the Gandhian had asked him to resign.

Hazare was apparently peeved with Pathare for his alleged role in leaking to the media about his meeting with Yoga guru Baba Ramdev last week after the Gandhian had announced that he would be distancing himself from the political party being floated by Arvind Kejriwal.

Sources close to Hazare said Pathare had subsequently pointed out to the veteran activist that “it would not be very appropriate to meet any one after the parting of ways.”

Last week, Hazare decided to part ways with Kejriwal. This announcement had dismayed many, including Kejriwal.

Kejriwal had said that he would continue upholding the ideals of Hazare and that would form the building block of his party. After announcing the split, Hazare had apparently gone to meet Baba Ramdev in New Delhi. This meeting was opposed by Pathare.

Allauddin Shaikh, secretary of Bhrastachar Virodhi Jan Andolan, is now look after the work of Pathare, who has been Hazare’s secretary since 2002.

Pathare, speaking from Ralegan Siddhi, said he was resigning due to “personal reasons”.

“I would be working for the movement and also will be with Anna, but it is not possible for me to work full time now,”he said. He further denied any fallout with Hazare.

Datta Awari, another of Hazare’s secretary, said nothing has been finalised about who would take over Pathare’s role. Allauddin Shaikh, secretary of Bhrastachar Virodhi Jan Andolan, said he would be helping Awari to look after the duties of Pathare.