Now, Congress accuses Anna of flag code violation

Launching a fresh offensive against anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare, the Congress has alleged that Team Anna members have been violating the flag code by hoisting the tricolour on their vehicles.

“Barring a few dignitaries on constitutional posts, no other person is allowed to hoist flags on their vehicles. Anna Hazare hurled the tricolour on his vehicle while approaching the MMRDA ground in Bandra-Kurla Complex for his three-day fast. This is against the flag code and a serious offence,” said Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant.

Alleging large-scale financial irregularities during the second term of Anna Hazare’s fast at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi four months ago, the Congress has accused  Team Anna was using foreign funds to continue their protest.

Another party spokesperson Anant Gadgil demanded an audit of the funds received in donations. “He (Anna) received Rs86 lakh from Ford Foundation, Rs19.6 lakh from the Dutch Embassy and Rs12 lakh from the United Nations Development Programme. Why have these foreign organisations been funding Anna’s agitation,” he asked. Gadgil said that no social activists, including Sindhutai Sapkal, Abhay Bang and Shobhana Ranade, have received such type of funding for their work in various fields.

“Questions are being raised as the audit done by Team Anna after their 13-day fast in Delhi stated that Rs4.6 lakh was spent on press conferences and Rs45.05 lakh on the missed called mechanism. This is merely financial irregularities by the team and a thorough audit is needed,” Gadgil said.

The party has claimed that the people of the state have rejected Team Anna and this was evident on the first day of the fast. “The results of the council elections held recently has proved this as the Congress and the NCP performed well despite Anna’s campaign against the ruling parties,” Gadgil added.