Team Anna steps back from electioneering; fast threat baffles Congress

Soon after Anna Hazare wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday threatening to go on another indefinite fast if a lokpal bill for a strong anti-corruption watchdog was not passed in the winter session of Parliament, the Congress once again expressed bafflement over why Hazare and his core advisers – known as 'team Anna' – felt the need to issue such frequent threats.

 ''The best person to answer this question is Mr Hazare himself,'' said party spokesperson Manish Tewari. ''We do not want to comment on the reasons for their writing such letters or issuing threats, but we can say with confidence that we are committed to a strong lokpal.''

He said a lokpal bill was introduced for discussion in the monsoon session of Parliament and is now before a standing committee. ''This committee is doing its work, and there is no reason to believe that there is any inordinate delay in its working,'' he said.

Information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni also saw no justification for Hazare's threat. ''The prime minister has committed himself to a strong lokpal, union ministers have said it, so why keep issuing such warnings?'' she asked.

Law minister Salman Khursheed added his bit: "I don't understand this disquiet when we have continuously said that we are committed to a strong lokpal bill to fight against corruption."

Renuka Chaudhary, another Congress leader said, "It is very confusing and there is no clarity. Team Anna seems to be very shrewd after announcing that they have nothing to do with politics."