‘Team Anna’ defiant
17 Aug 2011
Making it clear that Anna Hazare would come out of Tihar Jail only if he is allowed to sit on a fast "unconditionally", his close backers – now widely known as 'team Anna' or 'team Hazare' – said it was ready for any discussion with the government if the permission is granted.
Prashant Bhushan, activist lawyer and member of the original Lokpal joint drafting committee – which broke down in acrimony between the civil and government-nominated members – said Hazare is in no hurry to leave jail.
"He will continue to sit in jail unless he is allowed to sit on fast unconditionally at JP Park or some other place. Thereafter, we are ready for any discussion with the government. But before that it is not possible," he said (See: PM dubs Hazare's anti-graft protest 'undemocratic').
Hazare had chosen JP Park – named after late social activist Jayprakash Narayan – as the venue for his public fast.
Noting that the issue has now "assumed serious propositions," Bhushan said, "Before moving the Supreme Court, we have to discuss the issue with Hazare."
He said if authorities allow Hazare to sit on an unconditional fast, he would come out of jail.
