Arvind Kejriwal's party would be different path for same goal: Anna Hazare

Affirming his views on not forming a political party, social activist Anna Hazare today said floating a political outfit by his associate Arvind Kejriwal would mean "taking a different path" to reach the same goal of corruption free India.

"I have decided for myself not to form a political party or fight elections. But if Arvind floats one, it would mean taking a different path with the same goal of corruption free India," Hazare told reporters here, when asked if creation of a political party by Kejriwal would mean a split between him and his mentor.

Hazare, who was here to meet some activists to discuss the course of his movement, said if Kejriwal's party fielded candidates of "clean character", he would support them in elections.

"If Arvind's party fields a proper candidate, we will support that particular person and not all of them," he added.

The anti-graft crusader said he was going to hold a series of meetings with like-minded people as even if he did not enter electoral politics, there was a need to determine the direction of his movement and send good people to Parliament.

Hazare said he would undertake a nation-wide tour to seek direction to his movement by interacting with experienced social activists.

"The exercise has started with the Pune meeting and it will continue in Delhi where I am expecting 100-125 activists for discussion," he added.

Those who met Hazare in the city included RTI activist Vishwambhar Choudhary and social worker and former bureaucrat Avinash Dharmadhikar.

Will monitor party from outside: Anna Hazare

Anna Hazare on Sunday said that members of his now disbanded team were working on the contours of a political party and that he would support it from outside, without being the ‘remote control’. He reportedly added that beginning October, for the next one and a half years he would tour the country to create awareness among voters and help the party select appropriate candidates. “I have asked six questions to my team members and am awaiting their reply. On the basis of their reply, the future decision will be taken,” Hazare reportedly said while addressing volunteers of the India Against Corruption who, sources said, sought his “guidance, direction and clarification about the next course of action”. Sources said that Hazare has asked questions like: How will you select candidates? What will be your source of funds? “To run a government is not an easy task. Jaiprakash Narayan had realised this… we have to ensure that people like Lalu Prasad Yadav and Ram Vilas Paswan don’t make it to our party,” Hazare was quoted as saying. Sources said Hazare clarified that he will not launch the party. “I will stay out…I will monitor from outside,” he reportedly said, stressing that he will not “remote control” the party’s activities. Spelling out reasons for launching a party, Hazare added, “We have lost faith in the present government. We have no faith in the parties like the Congress and BJP.” To ensure that ‘right’ candidates are selected and elected, Hazare said, “From October, for the next one and a half years, I will tour the entire country to create awareness among the voters to elected non-corrupt candidates and help the party select right candidates…Otherwise, there will be no difference between us and other parties.”