Ralegan Siddhi/New Delhi, Oct 14: Team Anna was in turmoil Friday after Anna Hazare wondered whether Prashant Bhushan should continue in their campaign after his “controversial” remarks on Kashmir.
However, a few of Anna’s associates met in Delhi seeking to downplay the issue saying the Gandhian had made no such point about Bhushan’s continuance in the team. The core committee of the Team Anna met in Noida where a resolution saying Kashmir is an integral part of India and the “complex” problem should be solved through peaceful discussions, was adopted.
“Woh Aage Jaake Hum Log Tay Karenge, Rakhna (Hai) Nahi Rakhna (Hai)
(We will decide later whether he will be in the team or not),” Hazare told reporters in his native Ralegan Siddhi when asked whether Bhushan, a key aide in his fight for a strong Lokpal Bill, will remain part of Team Anna.
“Whatever views he has articulated, that is not right,” he said, two days after Bhushan was attacked by three youths of a right-wing in his chamber in New Delhi for advocating plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir.
As Hazare’s comments triggered a fresh controversy, activist Arvind Kejriwal addressed a press conference in New Delhi in which he sought to say that Hazare did not mean that the lawyer should be removed from the team. “Our stand is that Kashmir is an integral part of India. It is a complex problem. Any solution to it is possible through dialogue but within the boundaries of the Indian Constitution,” Kejriwal told reporters.
On Bushan Kejrival said; “He is an integral part of the team. He is a very respected citizen who has worked in several areas including environment and human rights. He has played a crucial role in the anti-corruption movement also.”
Earlier, Hazare slammed Bhushan for not clarifying that the views on Kashmir were his personal views.
News reports cited Anna Hazare as saying that Bhushan might be removed from the core committee of his team over his Kashmir remarks.
“I spoke to Anna over telephone. He told me that he did not say that. What he told me was that the committee will decide who should be in or out,” he said.
A meeting of Team Anna’s core committee was held in UP’s Noida during which a resolution saying Kashmir is an integral part of India and the “complex” problem should be solved through peaceful discussions, was adopted.
However, Hazare, Bhushan and Bedi did not attend the meeting. Bedi is in Amsterdam while Bhushan has left for the US. Prashant’s father Shanti Bhushan attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray today virtually defended the attack on Prashant Bhushan for his remarks on Kashmir, saying he had paid the price for advocating Pakistan’s cause.
“Should Prashant Bhushan be showered with flowers for his anti-national comments supporting plebiscite in Kashmir, which Pakistan has been demanding,” Thackeray asked in an editorial in today’s edition of party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’.
Bhushan was Wednesday attacked by members of the Sri Ram Sene and the Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena in his Supreme Court chamber over his statement advocating a referendum in Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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