Yeddyurappa was among the supporters of Anna Hazare, when he launched hunger strike last time for an effective Lokpal. Now, while the crusader against corruption is preparing for his second spell, the endearing face of corruption is freer with no chief ministerial responsibility on his shoulders. So, why don’t we see him on the ground zero of fasting this time around?
It is not a cringing idea considering the faces hogged limelight at the Jantar Mantar last April. We heard sermons preached by the corporate giants in their new avatar of anti-corruption jehadi no matter how many thousands of corores they have gobbled up after making monkey of banks and tricking the public. The venue had provided a ramp for the catwalks for film stars and party animals, while it was a new found hangout for the fun lovers in the garb of neo-activist.
In the hysteria no one could even laugh at the corrupt giving sound bites against corruption. He is a sinner who has not added his noise when the whole country was into din. Why, namma H D Kumaraswamy was at the forefront in extending support to Anna. What a great speech he delivered on the evils of corruption!
True, you can’t say there was no seriousness in the air, while no one could question genuineness of Anna and his team. You can’t deny the effect of the historic groundswell that goaded the government for the draft bill. Anna knew its importance and he didn’t want his movement slipping into hands of politicians. People rejoiced the way he chased out Uma Bharathi, who appeared at the spot.
But, we expected similar ardor, when he visited Karnataka as part of his whirlwind tour following the first spell of Lokpal struggle. He was scathing at Congress, while mute on Yeddyurappa. And that disappointed us because BJP corruption is an obsession in Karnataka so as UPA corruption in Delhi. We know UPA is the villain in the story of Lokpal, and the BJP is on the other side of the fence. But, corruption is across the party lines. It is beyond the scope of discussion on whether prime minister to be brought under Lokpal or not.
This move of Anna gave scope for the obnoxious weeds like Manish Tiwari pointing finger at him. Kapil Sibal could even call him a BJP agent. They were audacious to refer to Justice Swanat report indicting Anna for diverting funds from his NGO. Rs. 2.2 lakh was spent to celebrate his birthday and Sawanth himself has confirmed it.
Now, the strife has reached the crescendo with Anna bracing for the decider. Delhi will witness the start of the decisive battle on Tuesday morning. And Jai Prakash Narain Park is the ground zero this time.
While praying for Anna squad’s victory, it is natural for us to expect from them a valiant fight minus farce. The tamasha factor will kill the very meaning of the movement turning it into futile. Anna must be merciless for the noutanki players who are expected to swoop down on the spot.
Mahatma Gandhi had chased out those who were not in Khadi, when he launched Satyagraha in 1940. Choosing Vinobha Bhave as the first Satyagrahi, he told him, " A noble deed without discipline is sin". Vinobhaji followed it and he was the Acharya for his followers.
Hope Anna remembers Gandhi’s words, because he has come as aandhi and people want to see in him a second Gandhi.
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