Cong accuses BJP of using Hazare to regain power at the Centre

New Delhi, Aug 22 (PTI) Congress Monday charged Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) with using Indian social activist Anna
Hazare to return to power at the Centre after failing to cash
in on the Ayodhya movement.
At the same time, party spokesperson Rashid Alvi admitted
that though 80 per cent of the people were not aware about the
Lokpal Bill, they were joining his agitation as the common man
was affected by the scourge of corruption.
"Anna Hazare does not have an organisation, no
funds...food is being distributed free of cost, an estimate
suggests SMS worth Rs five crore are being sent daily,
internet is being used...Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and
Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) say they are not with this
movement. Should we close our eyes. Are not we aware of what
you are doing," he said.
Addressing a seminar on Lokpal Bill, Alvi claimed the
"real motive" behind the BJP's support to the movement was not
corruption but regaining power at the Centre.
"L K Advani today said the Prime Minister should resign
and call for fresh elections. They want power. They could not
encash the Ayodhya movement, now they want to use Anna Hazare
to gain power," he said.
In a veiled attack on Hazare's associates, Alvi said he
has "records" of the "five to ten most honest people" whom he
would not like to name and would make public the details soon.
"The matter would not end with passage of the Lokpal
Bill. Once lion has tasted blood, he would long for it. Today,
those five to ten people - I would not like to blame any
individual - but we have the records of the most honest
people. I would not seem correct if I name them now. Wait for
a few days, we will do that..."
Referring to his recent statement in which he suspected
the role of the US behind Hazare's agitation, he said, "I
don't say the US is behind it. But there are powers which do
not want India to prosper."