New Delhi, August 2
Failing to get an adequate response from the government, Team Anna today retreated from the “do or die” battle it had launched over a week ago for a strong Lokpal Bill as it decided to end its indefinite fast tomorrow while declaring its intention to give political shape to its anti-corruption movement.

Anna Hazare’s announcement followed an appeal from a group of eminent citizens that the Gandhian and his teammates should end their fast as there were reports that Arvind Kejriwal ‘s health had deteriorated.

The anti-graft crusader, who has reiterated that he will not join politics, today said his team is ready to provide a political alternative to the people and sought views from the public on the roadmap ahead.

“If a political party needs to be formed to bring change in the country, then so be it,” Anna Hazare said, adding there is nothing wrong in forming a political party as it appears to be the only option left to ensure that the right people get elected to Parliament.

Although it led two successful agitations last year, Team Anna had to step back this time as its movement was not able to whip up the same public fervour as it managed to do on the earlier occasions. This lack of widespread support emboldened the UPA government which took a conscious decision not to engage with Team Anna this time. Last year, a panic-stricken government had rushed to placate Anna Hazare by first agreeing to set up a joint committee to draft the Lokpal Bill and then conceding the team’s demand to pass a “sense of the House” resolution in Parliament on specific provisions of the proposed legislation.

With its strategy having paid off, the government was obviously relieved that Team Anna was calling of its fast. However, there was also uncertainty about its proposal to play a political role, as it is not clear what shape it will take in the coming months. In its first response to Team Anna’s change in tactics, Congress leaders said their stand had been vindicated as they always maintained that Team Anna had political ambitions.

“We have always said that these people seemed inspired by politics. It is good that whatever the intention was has come out in the open,” remarked Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni, adding that they will soon understand the compulsions and responsibilities which are encountered in political life.

AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh, who has always been a bitter critic of Team Anna, was also quick to take a swipe at the anti-graft crusaders. "Just as I always said, Team Anna's political ambitions are out in open! People should see for themselves the reality behind this 'MOVEMENT'!" he tweeted.

UPA leaders were quick to point out that Team Anna will soon realise the difference between running an agitation and running a political party. “It’s a different ball game altogether,” said a UPA minister. He said a host of extraneous factors, including caste, come into play in an election and pointed to the example of people like T N Seshan who had contested polls but failed to make the cut.

If a political party needs to be formed to bring change in the country, then so be it. — Anna Hazare