New Delhi, September 20
Team Kejriwal is firm on offering a political alternative even if it meant going without their mentor, Anna Hazare.

Members of the team met at Laxmi Nagar here today to chalk out their future course of action following Hazare’s move of yesterday. All of them admitted that after Anna’s withdrawal from the political plans, things were going to get tough over the coming days.

Now that the veteran social activist has dissociated himself from his erstwhile team members after a long-felt rift over entering the electoral area, sources said Anna would embark on a nationwide tour as part of his anti-corruption movement.

Last night, Anna Hazare reportedly met yoga guru Ramdev at Golf Links. The meeting is believed to have been also been attended by former Army Chief General VK Singh. No details of what transpired at the meeting are known so far.

Ramdev’s camp is expected to brief the media about the meeting tomorrow.

The closed-door meeting between Ramdev and Anna, who flew back to Maharashtra at 4 pm today, has given reasons to the Kejriwal and company to worry. Manish Sisodhia, Prashant Bhushan, Gopal Rai remained caught up in a day-long meeting where majority stressed the need to lay out a new strategy to reach out to the people through intensified door-to-door campaigns.

“This political movement has to run without Anna ji now. Hence, efforts have to be increased. Campaigning has to be done at individual level,” said Yogender Yadav.

Meanwhile, Kejriwal, once regarded as Anna’s closest aide, expressed shock over the split and said, “Anna’s decision was shocking, unbelievable, and unfortunate. His photograph and name are printed in our hearts. We will continue the work as per his ideals. Taking a political recourse is important as Jan Lokpal will not suffice. Everything is being sold out in the country; coal, shops, retail etc and all this calls for changing the system.”

Also, on the referendum that Anna had rubbished, he said, “It was Anna who had asked us to conduct a survey through SMS, the Internet and social media on whether to form a political party or not.”