With govt looking away, Team Anna rethinks strategy

With the government showing no inclination for talks to end their stir, a worried Team Anna on Wednesday held discussions among themselves on the way ahead even as the health of fasting Arvind Kejriwal and Gopal Rai worsened.

The team held two rounds of talks at the protest site of Jantar Mantar, where Anna Hazare's fast entered the fourth day and that of Kejriwal, Rai and Manish Sisodia entered the eighth day.

After being advised hospitalisation, Kejriwal had on Tuesday warned the government against using force to remove him and his associates from the protest site.

Addressing protesters this morning, Team Anna member Kumar Vishwas said the health condition of Kejriwal and Rai was serious. "The whole country is concerned about their health," he said.

The crowd count in the morning was low as rains kept the protesters away from the venue.

Concerned over the deteriorating condition of the activists, the team went into a huddle on Wednesday morning on the future course of action.

Asked what they are planning to do, a Team Anna member said, "Wait and watch."

Miffed over government not initiating any dialogue process, Hazare on Tuesday ruled out talks with even the Prime Minister to end their stir. He also threatened to return Padma Bhushan bestowed on him as protest.

Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan targeted government for not initiating a dialogue with Team Anna alleging that they want people like Hazare to die so that they can continue to loot the country.

"Government said they were not ready to talk to us. This is their attitude. They have utmost disrespect for people. They want people like Anna, Arvind, Manish and others to die so that they can continue their loot," he charged.