Sibal terms Team Anna as 'hardcore politicians'

New Delhi - Union Human Resource and Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal on Friday described members of Team Anna as 'hardcore politicians', who pre-meditated to join politics and for which they played with the sentiments of the general public.

Sibal alleged that joining politics was the final mission of Team Anna.
 
 "They adopted many ways so that they can reach this point of joining politics, which was always their ultimate goal. These people are hardcore politicians. They play their cards very well," said Sibal.

"They know very well what politics is. They have positioned themselves well. If this is their idea of politics, then welcome to the world of politics," he added.

Sibal, however, welcomed veteran social activist Anna Hazare's decision to float a new political party.  

"We must welcome their decision. Any team can come and face the people and contest elections. Well, we all already knew that this is what they were interested in. They wanted to create this situation," Sibal said.

"First, they (Team Anna) took support of the people by acting innocent and then used the media to create uproar. Then they announced their decision to join politics. They are the real politicians. They can manipulate people and play with their emotions," he added.

Team Anna will call off their indefinite hunger strike at 5 p.m. today after nine days of fasting.

Veteran social activist Anna Hazare made an announcement in this regard on Thursday.

Addressing the gathering at the Jantar Mantar here, Hazare said he and his team are going to end their fast on Friday, and added that his aides want feedback within 48 hours on whether they should form a political party.

Asserting that power should rest with the people in a true democracy, Hazare yesterday reiterated that there is nothing wrong in forming a political party.

Hazare said power should be with the people of the country.

"In a true democracy, power should be in the hands of the people. The power must be given to the public. Village land, village water belongs to the village. There is a government in Delhi, but in the village, we are the government. Village has the right over coal, water in the village," he said.

Hazare asked his supporters to dislodge those leaders, who don't give in to people's demand.

He, however, said that he himself would not enter politics.

"I will not get into politics. I will fight from the outside. You have to think who goes into a party. Do they have a good character? Such people only should be given a ticket. If you want to change the nation, form a party. But see who is going into that party. How will you monitor them? You have to think about that," said Hazare.

The standoff between the UPA and Team Anna intensified after the latter demanded the setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of retired judges of Supreme and High Courts, to probe charges of corruption against 15 cabinet ministers, including the Prime Minister.