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Anna disagrees with Bhushan, team denies talk of removal

By The Assam Tribune

RALEGAN-SIDDHI/NEW DELHI, Oct 14 (IANS): Calling lawyer Prashant Bhushan's statement on plebiscite in Kashmir "wrong", Anna Hazare Friday said his team would decide on his removal in future. But others in the campaign against corruption were quick to deny this."What he said is wrong," Hazare told reporters in his village of Ralegan-Siddhi, Maharashtra.

Bhushan, who has been campaigning with Hazare against corruption, had in a statement in Varanasi two weeks ago favoured a plebiscite in Kashmir.

Reacting to this, Hazare said, "Kashmir is an integral part of India. Bhushan has given his personal opinion and Team Anna is not in agreement with the views."

Asked if the team would consider removing Bhushan from the team like it did with Swami Agnivesh, he said, "We will decide in future whether we will keep him or not."

A statement from the Team Anna, however, denied this later.

"Anna Hazareji has never said Prashant Bhushanji should be removed from the core committee," a statement from the team said.

Team member Arvind Kejriwal said Hazare was "misinterpreted". They have also called a press conference later in the day to clarify the issue.

Hazare said his personnel views were that Kashmir is an integral part of India. "I believe Kashmir is a part of India, and will be, and must do everything for keeping it intact," he said.

Hazare pointed out that he had visited some of the most sensitive areas of the state without any security, since "Kashmir belongs to my country and nobody can stop us from moving freely in the state".

He said for the cause of Kashmir, he was ready to do anything. "Sir kata sakte hain, par jhuka sakte nahin," he said.

Hazare, who is leading an anti-corruption campaign, said Team Anna was meant only for the Jan Lokpal bill and ending corruption.

"This is not the view of Team Anna. Team Anna was formed only for the Jan Lokpal bill, corruption free India, right to reject/recall and decentralisation. We don't talk about anything other than this," he said.

Hazare also slammed Bhushan for not clarifying that the views on Kashmir were his personal views.

"I will tell Prashant Bhushan, on such issues if you give your personal views, don't give views on behalf of the team without permission of the team," he said.

Bhushan was bashed up in his chamber in the Supreme Court complex in Delhi Wednesday by three youths - one of the Sri Ram Sene and two of the Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena - for his statement on Kashmir.

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