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NEW DELHI: India's anti corruption movement seems to be faltering.
With its leader Anna Hazare still recovering from an illness, the team is searching for a way forward.
Political campaigning for state elections has begun, but the team which had promised aggressive rallies against corruption during this time is yet to make a start.
Support for team Anna, which numbers tens of thousands last summer, has faded in recent months.
Leader Anna Hazare was forced to cut short his third hunger strike against corruption in December due to failing health.
But many feel the main reason for ending the fast could be due to the lack of popular support.
Very few people came to join his movement the third time around.
Social activist Rajendra Singh said: "The movement started by Anna Hazare has lost its aim and is now focusing on pressurizing the government and often misbehaving with the lawmakers. This is pressure politics and broker policy. They have now come to a level where their main aim is to intimidate the government and this is not a correct way."
Team Anna has decided to change its course.
It says the movement is at "crossroads" and has invited suggestions from the public over which direction it should take.
It has drawn flak for campaigning against the Congress party, thereby automatically promoting the opposition.
Team Anna says the stance taken by all political parties against corruption is doubtful.
Now, in this campaign, it will not tell people who to vote for but will ask various political parties to clarify their stand.
Arvind Kejriwal, who is a member of of Team Anna, said: "Every party is corrupt. We are not supporting any party but we will only talk of administrative reforms. We have decided not to speak for or against any party. We will only speak of reforms and campaign against any party."
Its charismatic leader, Anna Hazare, has been advised to rest for a month and will not campaign during the upcoming state elections.
This could be a big setback for the movement, which is struggling to become relevant again.
The spontaneity and novelty factor of India's anti-corruption movement seems to be wearing off. Candlelight marches and hunger strikes could not deal a strong blow to break the back of corruption.
The fight is actually more complicated than it appears to be as it is trying to change a social behaviour - giving and accepting bribes.
It remains to be seen how many of Hazare's supporters are willing to take this fight to the end.
- CNA/fa
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