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• vandana k

  

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  February 20, 2014 10:16 AM IST

  Extending his support to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, social activist Anna Hazare on Wednesday ruled out campaigning for Arvind Kejriwal or his party, the Aam Aadmi Party ahead of the 2014 general elections.

  Anna said Kejriwal, who was a part of his Jan Lokpal movement two years ago, didn't respond to the 17 key issues raised by him in a letter written to the AAP leader.
  
  Addressing a press conference along with Mamata, Anna said, "I had sent my 17 points to Arvind Kejriwal as well, but he never responded."
  
  The anti-corruption crusader made it clear that he supports Mamata as he feels she has thinks and works for the country.
  
  He said, "I am supporting Mamata Banerjee not as party or person, but I support her ideas for the country.  Even I have spent my life working for the country.  For the first time I have seen a person who thinks and works for the country and that is why I am supporting Mamata Banerjee." 
  
  Anna also praised West Bengal chief minister's simplicity.
  
  "Mamata Banerjee could have lived a lavish life after becoming CM, but she lives a normal life.  Didi is one person who understands that without sacrifice the country cannot progress. I support her ideology," said Anna. "Mamata Didi was the only one who replied to my letter regarding 17 issues.  These issues include forming of Lokpal, bill for security for whistle blowers." 
  
  Speaking about the important issues affecting the country, Anna lamented that it was unfortunate that no political party was having rural development as a priority.
  
  He said, "Today no party thinks of villages, they only think of the markets and companies.  Mahatma Gandhi used to say the country wouldn't change until you change the villages. To change the country it is important to concentrate on agriculture. Big companies snatch away farmers' lands. "
  
  "Is this our independence?  For land acquisition there will be laws so that no one can forcefully take away land from farmers. We have shown how economy can change. We have practiced these things in villages. In our countries rivers are also sold. We will stop exploitation of rivers. It is not progress, but destruction.  Constitution suggests uplifting of poor and backward classes, but it does not happen in our country. We will take this up."
  
  Mamata during the conference said her party will work on all the issues raised by Anna.
  
  She said, "Have discussed all 17 points with Anna. Except for a few we have already worked on rest such as those on land acquisition. Whatever are the issues of Anna, we will work on them.  Want electoral, judicial, administrative reforms.
  
  "My govt is working on them. Has had 52 meetings with block level officers. What is the use of Central govt? Just to demand taxes and use CBI to strike fear? Need a stable government. I have seen many unstable governments before. There are parties that have too much money. Thanks to them the country runs like feudal landlords. Where did the money go? There needs to be a system for taxation. Our revenue collection is also very high. There is no power crisis in West Bengal."
   
  On Tuesday, after an hour-long dinner meeting with Mamata in the national capital, social activist Anna praised her for leading a simple life and said he believed the country will change if she is at the helm of affairs.
  
  "Today I believe there can be change in the country. People also want change. That time is coming," Hazare said after the talks at the residence of Trinamool Congress national general secretary Mukul Roy.
  
  Refering to Trinamool chairperson Banerjee as "didi" (elder sister, as she is affectionately called), Hazare said: "All her life, she has lived simply, eaten simple food, she has neither a house nor a car. So long we did not have any leader like her. Now we have found (one)."
  
  
  Banerjee was the only leader to reply to Hazare's letter, sent to all political parties.
  
  Banerjee touched Hazare's feet on Tuesday to pay her respects after the 76-year-old anti-corruption crusader was escorted by Roy from Maharashtra Sadan to his residence for the meeting.
  
  Earlier in Kolkata, Banerjee avoided a direct reply to a query on whether Hazare would campaign for her party in the coming Lok Sabha polls.
  
  "Let me meet him first. Then I will let you know the details," she said.
  
  Banerjee said Hazare was a "respected" person, and she was happy to meet him.
  
  "He wanted to meet me when Mukul Roy called on him recently. I have never met him. This is the first time I am meeting him. I will be happy to meet him," she said.
  
  Roy and Trinamool Rajya Sabha member K.D. Singh visited Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra Saturday last to hold preliminary discussions with Hazare and set up a face-to-face between him and Banerjee.
  
  Hazare has been praising Banerjee ever since she replied to his letter containing the 17-poitn suggestions. (With inputs from agencies)