Sharad Yadav defers with Nitish Kumar on Anna Hazare's anti-corruption crusade

PATNA | NEW DELHI: Janata Dal (United) President Sharad Yadav is at it again. While Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the de-facto leader of his party, has whole-heartedly embraced Anna Hazare and his anti-corruption crusade, the NDA convenor has struck a discordant note, lampooning Team Anna and his cause.

On August 24, while addressing a meeting of party office-bearers from districts across the state in Patna, the Bihar chief minister had lavished praised on Anna Hazare, describing him as a ‘saint’, and exhorted JD(U) leaders and workers to learn a lesson from his fast.

As part of his efforts to mobilise support for the Jan Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare had even met Nitish Kumar on June 30.

On the other hand, Sharad Yadav, while participating in the debate in the Lok Sabha on Saturday, said members of the privileged class were leading the anti-graft agitation.

"People here roam around India Gate with their dogs, eat ice creams and then decide to go to Ramlila Maidan," he said. "They (Team Anna) are not raising the issue of social injustices. There is no mention of Ambedkar and other social justice leaders from the stage," he added.

Nitish Kumar, on the other hand, had heaped encomiums on Anna and his associates.