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Strange Justifications
- The Anna Hazare group’s foray into electoral politics exposes its shaky foundations.
- The recent developments point to important lessons that civil society groups can learn. When there is a broad coalition on a single issue, it is better to stick to the common minimum agenda rather than attempt to widen it without first arriving at a consensual strategy.
- The Anna Hazare group’s one-point agenda was the passage of the Lokpal Bill. Part of this was achieved when the government agreed to table the bill in the winter session. What was the need to jump into the electoral fray even as this was pending?
- Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), as part of its “Know your Neta” campaign, has investigated and published financial and criminal details of all candidates contesting an election. This, the organisation believes, is a step towards cleaning up the electoral process as it gives voters crucial information to decide whom to back if they want to go beyond party affiliation.
- Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption crusade, whatever one thinks of it, has certainly brought the issue of corruption centre stage. But to reduce this to a campaign against one party – thereby possibly paving the way for the victory of another
