Don't use my name for your party: Hazare to Kejriwal

Anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal is all set to enter mainstream politics formally with the announcement of the launch of his political party on Tuesday. With this launch, Kejriwal will formally -- and more explicitly than ever -- part ways with the non-political stance that Anna Hazare has always endorsed.

"The announcement tomorrow is about the launch of a political party," a member of India Against Corruption said.

IAC members Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia will be addressing the media at the Constitution Club in Delhi on Tuesday morning. They will be releasing a draft of the constitution of the political party.

"The constitution will detail how members will be chosen, the selection procedure of candidates and the guidelines on the basis of which the party would run," said the IAC member.

The organisation claims that the decision to form a political party was taken only after a referendum, in the form of SMS responses, was sought from the people on whether a political party should be formed.

India Against Corruption will seek feedback from the people after the release of the draft, says IAC.

"We don't know yet if we will conduct a referendum, but we will definitely solicit responses from the people," says Sneha Kothawade, a member of IAC.

"It will be uploaded on the website and people can give their feedback freely," she added.

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal had visited activist Anna Hazare, who is currently in Delhi. Hazare has been meeting former members of India's defence services to chalk out a roadmap on how to progress with a non-political agitation against corruption.  

Hazare addressed the media on Monday evening and clarified that he had never suggested the idea of launching a political party to Kejriwal. He added that Kejriwal and his political party would be barred from using his name.

Both Kejriwal and Hazare continued to express solidarity by saying that they will support each other's endeavors.

"We might have two different perceptions of a problem and different perceptions on how to solve it, but the goal is still the same," Kejriwal said to media personnel on Monday.

Hazare, who held a hush-hush meeting with Ramdev recently, said he will join the yoga guru only after being convinced of his non-partisan credential.

Hazare, who has faced allegations that he was moving towards the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh aided by Ramdev, said he went to the meeting on September 19 following a message from the yoga guru.

"During the meeting, Ramdev suggested that we tour together. I did not give any assurance to him. I will do it only if I am convinced that he is not backed by any political party. I am not clear about it," he told reporters.

"Once it is clear that Ramdev has no political backing, then I will think about joining him," Hazare said.

Additional inputs from PTI