Skipped TMC rally due to lack of crowd: Anna Hazare

Anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare said on Friday that he skipped the rally by Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee in Delhi due to lack of crowd.

Hazare on Wednesday failed to show up at the rally at Ramlila grounds in New Delhi, leaving the TMC chief on her own to address the much-publicised joint rally. It was a disappointing solo act; even before their partnership for the upcoming general elections could take a concrete shape, it seems to have fallen apart.

"The time of the rally was 11 am and when I checked at 12 pm, there were only 2000-2500 people and when I checked at 1 pm, then again at 2 pm. Then I thought there was something wrong. The ground which was filled with crowd for 12 days, the same Ramlila ground did not even have 4000 people and they are calling me. This was a betrayal," said Hazare.

He further added that TMC leader Santosh Bharti had told him that it was his rally whereas Banerjee was also asked to make the preparations for the rally.

As a part of election campaign ahead of parliamentary elections, Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee had planned a grand rally along with Hazare to speak on national agenda.

However, till afternoon not more than 2500 people turned up at the venue.

In order to avoid embarrassment by Hazare's last-minute withdrawal, Banerjee told mediapersons that it was not a political event, but the party was attending a 'social' event.

Hazare also maintained that he supported Banerjee and not her party.

"I have respect for regional Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee. In the country there are many Chief Ministers, I think she is the best among all and I had supported her sacrifice, her character and her thinking. I did not support her party," added Hazare.

During the news conference, Hazare also said that if anyone belonging to any party becomes the Prime Minister, the nation will not have a bright future so someone from the masses can only lead the country to progress.

On February 19, Hazare had officially announced that he would support Banerjee and her party Trinamool Congress for the general elections, after she agreed to follow his 17-point economic agenda.

Hazare had written a letter about his 17-point agenda to all the political parties and leaders. In fact, he was all praises for Banerjee and said that it was commendable how she is still standing up to serve the nation despite suffering so much in her life.

Hazare had also mentioned that if he backed Banerjee, she would get 40 seats in the Lok Sabha, making her eligible to fight for the post of Prime Minister in the general elections.