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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Kiran Bedi skips Kejriwal-led protest, frowns upon attacking BJP -Himanshi Dhawan

Kiran Bedi skips Kejriwal-led protest, frowns upon attacking BJP -Himanshi Dhawan

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published Published on Aug 27, 2012   modified Modified on Aug 27, 2012
-The Times of India

The gloves are off within erstwhile Team Anna with one of its core members Kiran Bedi, conspicuous by her absence at Sunday's protest, coming out in support of the BJP in sharp contrast to her colleagues.

In a statement on Sunday evening explaining why she did not attend the protest, Bedi said the activists "needed" the prime opposition party to put effective systems in place. This was in response to fellow activist Arvind Kejriwal's stand on Friday that neither Congress nor BJP or any other political party but only a "people's movement'' would bring about a systemic change. Incidentally, both Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan denied that there was any rift when questioned about Bedi skipping Sunday's gherao plan.

Bedi's affinity to the opposition party could spell bad news for the fledgling political movement that erstwhile Team Anna is planning to establish. She is the only prominent woman face in the agitation and was one of the first few people who joined Kejriwal's campaign for a strong Lokpal bill. She continues to enjoy popularity among people who remember her from her days in Delhi Police.

In what appeared to be thumbs-down for her colleagues, she said the Kejriwal-led India Against Corruption could not become an alternative to the existing political system "overnight''.

The former IPS officer was quick to clarify that she had "no political affiliation, inclination or expectations'' but felt that the focus should be on the ruling party which was the main culprit.

She had opposed IAC's plan to target and gherao BJP president Nitin Gadkari's house on the coal block allocation issue arguing that the activists should not forget the support given by leaders like Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, L K Advani and Gadkari during their bid to get the Jan Lokpal bill passed. "Arvind and the Bhushans had several meetings with them (BJP leaders). And they agreed to support in some ways. But at least they were not dismissive as the ruling party. Why must we forget this,'' Bedi said.

Adding that she was only being practical, she said, "End of the day, if we paint all black who will get us what the country needs now and in the near future.''

Kejriwal had said on Saturday that Bedi was "completely" with them and "there could be two viewpoints" on any issue. But he admitted that her viewpoint was "slightly different" on the matter.

"I had informed the team of my personal perspective, that we ought to focus on the ruling party as bracketing opposition right now when they are already attacking the ruling party will in fact benefit only the party in power. They obviously firmed up their mind," Bedi said.

Asked about skipping the protest, the former IPS officer said she has nothing whatsoever to do with any political formation nor was she being soft. "I am just being realistic," she said.

"India needs honest political leadership and I look forward to widespread changes. But we got to be patient and inclusive. Without losing possible quarters of support even if we have ideological difference with them," she said.

The Times of India, 27 August, 2012, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Kiran-Bedi-skips-Kejriwal-led-protest-frowns-upon-attacking-BJP/articleshow/15782248.cms?


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