Pathare removal wrong, say residents of Ralegan Siddhi

Uneasiness prevailed at Anna Hazare’s Ralegan Siddhi following his decision to keep his aide Suresh Pathare away from the movement.

HT was the first to report that Hazare was all set to ask Pathare to stay away from this movement and restructure his inner circle.

What has upset villagers is the possible removal of two more office bearers from Ralegan Siddhi, who used to be with Hazare all the time.

Ralegan Siddhi Sarpanch Jaysing Mapari said the villagers were disappointed with the development.

“Pathare is a capable person. Whatever he had done was in the interests of Annaji. Some people have made false complaints,” he said. Hazare refused to comment on the issue.

As reported by HT earlier, Pathare came under attack by volunteers of Bhrashtacharvi-rodhi Jan Andolan (BJA) who said that the gap between Hazare and workers and masses was widening because of Pathare. The issue of maintaining accounts of funds collected during the Lokpal agitation and the funds of Hind Swaraj Trust was also discussed at the meeting.

While Pathere was not available for comment, he told a Marathi news channel that he would be no more associated with the movement because of family reasons.

When asked whether he was asked to step down, Pathare said, “I have taken the decision. You can ask Annaji.”

Sources close to Hazare said Pathare was not in favour of joining hands with Baba Ramdev but Hazare had gone ahead with his idea to meet Ramdev.