Controversial video is doctored, alleges Agnivesh

Activist Swami Agnivesh is deeply hurt by the campaign launched against him by fellow members Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, who have publicly run him down.

"The have launched a campaign against erstwhile members of Team Anna. Justice Santosh Hegde and I were members of the 22-member core group, and now both of us have become victims of these attacks," Agnivesh told rediff.com on Monday.

When asked about the controversial conversation between him and Human Source Development Minister Kapil Sibal that has been put on Youtube, he said that it was a prank played by a private television channel with alleged Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh links.

"I have not spoken to this TV network. I want an apology by the editor for insulting me on a live show. Hazare would have broken his fast much earlier, but some of the members dragged it longer for more then they should have," an upset Agnivesh said. 

"This is clearly a smear campaign by people with vested interests, he said.

He revealed that so-called tape had been shot a few days ago, but was put on the website the day Hazare broke his fast.

"I never told Sibal not to give a further concession. You can ask law Minister Salman Khursheed and he will tell you that the talks were resumed because of my efforts. Hazare was not as steadfast as he was made out to be by Kejriwal, Bedi and Prashant Bhushan," he said.

"All of them want to be part of the Lokpal so that they can wield power," he alleged.