Team Anna to announce political party on October 2

New Delhi: Erstwhile Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said they will launch a party by October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti. Kejriwal's statement comes a day after the members met at Prashant Bhushan's residence on Saturday.

The meeting was attended by Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan, Kiran Bedi, Manish Sisodia, Yogendra Yadav, Kumar Vishvas, Dinesh Vaghela, Sanjay Singh, Nishikant, Ajeet Jha, and Naveen Jaihind.

The preparatory committee consisting of 80-100 members to chalk out the nitty-gritty of formation of the party will meet for the first time on August 26.

The preparatory committee, which have members from various movements and organisations, is likely to have some senior judges also.

Sources said the preparatory committee will finish its work by October two and it is likely that the launch of the party will be announced on that day.

An internal Lokpal, having retired judges as its members, will be constituted to ensure internal discipline within the party, they said.

The internal Lokpal will enquire into allegations of corruption and if found guilty, the member will be thrown out of the party and movement, they said.

Supporters from across the country will assemble in Delhi on August 16 and efforts to form district and state committees will begin after that, they said.

Asked about Justice Santosh Hegde's opposition to formation of political party, Kejriwal said he was among 23 eminent persons who appealed them to break fast and give a political alternative.

Meanwhile, dismissing the growing speculation that Anna Hazare is not inclined to form a political party and was pressurised into doing so, Kejriwal on Twitter said, "Anna has clearly directed them to start forming a political party."

He says the team would withdraw if Anna clearly says that he is against the political option.

(With additional information from PTI)

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