India against corruption: 22 eminent people urge Team Anna to call off fast

NEW DELHI: 22 eminent persons, including former Army chief V K Singh, today appealed to Team Anna to call off their indefinite fast as the activists are said to be considering announcing a "political alternative" before ending their stir.

"All the people listening to us, watching us tell us whether Team Anna should form a political party," prominent Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan said addressing the protesters this afternoon.

The appeal from eminent jurist V R Krishna Iyer, former Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh, Singh and others came as the health of Arvind Kejriwal and two others deteriorated on the ninth day of their fast.

The letter from eminent persons raised the possibility of an end to the indefinite stir during the day with Hazare likely to announce the future course of action. However, Team Anna members refused to confirm this.

"We appeal you to end the fast," a letter written by the eminent persons, including P V Rajagopal, who had resigned from Team Anna earlier, said.

Reading out from the letter, Anupam Kher said the government was not responding to the fast and was not paying heed to the protest.

"The government has turned its back to the agitation and has also not shown political will to punish corrupt people. The opposition also does not fare well on the issue," the letter said.

"Do not expect anything from this political class. We request Anna Hazare and other fasting activists to channelise their efforts in setting up a political alternative, to give a responsive, democratic and non-violent system," it said.

"Indian democracy needs a new direction. We request the people who are fasting to accept this historical challenge and call off their fast," the letter said.