Anna clarifies on Modi, but fails to convince

Ahmedabad : Social activist Anna Hazare has replied to Gujarat-based activists who protested his apparent endorsement of the state’s rural development under Chief Minister Narendra Modi, saying he (Hazare) remains “apolitical” and “non-partisan” and that his campaign is against corruption.

The activists, on the other hand, replied almost immediately saying he is missing the point of their protests and again invited him to visit Gujarat to see what the real situation is like.

Hazare replied to the activists through a general press statement seeking to clarify his stand and writing separately to danseuse and activist Mallika Sarabhai.

“On a question asked in my press conference, I praised only the developmental work done by Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar in rural areas. Alongside I clarified that I am equally opposed to any form of communal disharmony. I am completely opposed to any kind of communalism or discrimination on religious or caste lines. I strongly condemn and oppose any kind of communal violence,” Hazare said in the press statement meant as a reply to the activists’ protests.

Vadodara-based activists Rohit Prajapati and Trupti Shah replied to this saying: “Our letter dated April 11 highlighted the ground reality of downtrodden masses of Gujarat — from farmers to fishing communities, tribals and saltpan workers. Please read it carefully. Your vague clarification is only related to communal harmony and politics, which is not what we in Gujarat raised to you in our letter on Monday.”

“You could either visit the state to have a first-hand look or could reach out to those affected and working in the state. We hope you will rely on the facts and not on the false propaganda of the government,” the duo said.

As for Mallika Sarabhai’s protest e-mail, Hazare wrote to her saying: “I was asked a question about Gujarat and Bihar Chief Ministers’ development work at a press conference (held in Delhi on Sunday) and based on media reports, I said Gujarat and Bihar have done good work in rural development.”

When contacted, Sarabhai said Hazare’s reply showed “he is unable to see beyond Modi’s PR machinery”.

“His reply was very interesting because he said he relied on media reports to come to the conclusion that Modi is dong good work in the rural areas. This shows he has not been able to see through the Gujarat government’s PR campaign,” Sarabhai said.

“I am going to invite him once again to visit Gujarat and see what is really going on. There is an entirely different story here than the one propagated by Modi’s PR machinery,” Sarabhai said.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/anna-clarifies-on-modi-but-fails-to-convince/775339/0