Author: George Joseph
Publication: Daily News & Analysis
Date: September 5, 2011
URL: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_hazare-government-tensions-can-cause-political-turbulence-again_1583274-all
As tensions between the Anna Hazare-led civil
society and the government escalate, several political observers fear the
developments can delay the much-awaited Lokpal bill and cause fresh political
turbulence.
"The current allegations and counter
allegations have worsened the situation. A confrontationist scene may recur
as the parliamentary standing committee is unlikely to accept many of Hazare's
demands," Babu Bhaskar, a political analyst based in Thiruvananthapuram,
told IANS on phone.
"There are several hawkish members in
Team Anna who want a continued confrontation with the government," felt
Baalji Sharma, another analyst.
Hazare had on Friday lashed out at a "cunning
government" after the government acted against his key aide Arvind Kejriwal
through an income tax notice and confirmed the CD exposes against two other
aides - Prashant Bhushan and Shanti Bhushan - and resorted to alleged intelligence
agency probes.
Adding fuel to the volatile situation, Parliament
has issued privilege motions against former police official Kiran Bedi, Prashant
Bhushan and Kejriwal for their critical remarks against MPs. Actor Om Puri
too has been slapped a privilege notice for targetting MPs while speaking
at the Ramlila Maidan during the recent 13-day fast by Hazare.
"The problems between the government
and Hazare before the fast remain even now. What was achieved on August 28
(when Hazare ended the fast) was not a solution, but a face-saving solution
by both sides," said Bhaskar.
Regarding the I-T notice to civil society
leader Kejriwal, Bhaskar said: "That is the way political establishment
responds to dissenters. The establishment uses official agencies against them
(dissenters) if they are vulnerable to attacks."
Mridula Mukherjee, professor in New Delhi's
Jawaharlal Nehru University, said there was a "slanging match going on
between the government and the Hazare supporters now".
"However, I feel the standing committee
will reach an agreement on the Lokpal bill," Mukherjee told IANS.
Regarding the tax notice to Kejriwal, Mukherjee
said: "He should pay up his dues to the government. His personal liabilities
should not the be mixed up with the movement."
"After all, it is Kejriwal and colleagues
who have been campaigning for accountability and transparency."
While the government has not reacted against
the 74-year-old social activist after he broke the fast, it has been "silently
and steadily" probing the activities of his aides and initiating legal
action wherever possible, observers point out.
On August 4, Hazare aide Arvind Kejriwal was
issued a notice by the Income Tax department for payment of Rs9 lakh dues
during his employment period with the government till 2006.
Kejriwal Friday reacted that the notice, which
came four years after he quit the service, was issued because of "political
pressure".
He alleged that officials of the Intelligence
Bureau have been trying to frame him and his relatives.
Hazare himself upped the ante at a largely-attended
meeting in his village Ralegan Siddhi Friday. "This government consists
of a mob of 'labaad' (cunning) people," he said.
Targetting Home Minister P Chidambaram for
his arrest Aug 16, the social activist said: "He (Chidambaram) is not
speaking the truth. He is the real 'khodsal' (mischief maker) behind my arrest
even before I could start my fast."
Reacting to the privilege motion notice, Prashant
Bhushan told IANS: "If the parliamentarians want to curb even general
criticism against them, then it is a fundamental question of freedom of expression
and the institution of parliament."
Baalji Sharma said that some members of Team
Anna were "politically ambitious andwanted to prolong the movement though
new demands".
Mukherjee felt that both sides should show
restraint for the Lokpal bill to become a reality.
"I wish Kejriwal and colleagues were
more gracious after the fast. Instead of issuing irritating statements everyday,"
she added.
