Army ex-chief joins Anna bandwagon

New Delhi, Aug 3 (IANS) Former Indian Army chief Gen. V.K. Singh Friday lent his voice to Anna Hazare's anti-graft movement and also joined the protest at Jantar Mantar here where the fasting social activists ended their hunger strike.

Expressing his strong support to Hazare and his movement against corruption, Gen. Singh, who had blown the lid off the Tatra army trucks bribe offer while still in office, also warned Hazare to be prepared to face opposition from anti-democratic forces.

Supporting Hazare and his team members coming out with a political alternative, Singh said: "Team Anna must be prepared to face opposition from those who do not believe in democracy."

He also said Hazare had taken the right call by calling off the fast.

Terming corruption as the most important problem faced by the country, Singh said: "The next change should come in politics, as the country is now directionless."

"Team Anna has to clean up the political system," he said, speaking in Hindi.

Singh also sat with the fasting Team Anna members for some time to express solidarity with the cause.

Congratulating Team Anna for fighting against corruption, Singh said he supported their decision to provide a political alternative to the people.

Hazare and his team members Thursday announced that they will call off their fast Friday.

Arvind Kejriwal, Gopal Rai and Manish Sisodia began their fast July 25 and were joined by Hazare July 29.

--Indo-Asian News Service

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