Team Anna 2: Amalgamation of new, old faces

Anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare is once again back to Delhi. On the top of his agenda is to finalise the members of his new team. Earlier on Monday, the veteran social worker had claimed that he will initially declare a co-ordination panel consisting of not more than 12 people. The final team is likely to to expanded later in the month.

Hazare's previous team received major jolt after India Against Corruption led by Arvind Kejriwal and his close aides decided to part ways for launching a political outfit. However, undeterred by Kejriwal's move Anna Harare has declared that his new co-ordination panel will be a mix of old and new members. The name of former Army Chief Gen VK Singh is also likely to be included among the new entrants in the Team Anna.

TSI brings you the list of probables who are most likely to be included in the new Team Anna, to carry forward the tirade against corruption.

Kiran Bedi

Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi has been associated with Anna Hazare's movement since inception. She played a key role in the nationwide movement launched by Hazare. Along with the core group, she led the initial fight against rampant corruption in the country and she was vocal in putting forth the demand for a strong Lokpal Bill. However, she objected to activist turned politician Arvind Kejriwal's idea to give political alternative. She stayed with the Anna camp and now she is likely to be announced most important member in the new co-ordiantion panel.

Santosh Hegde

Another member of old Team Anna and former Solicitor General of India, Santosh Hegde had also ruled out taking political route. However, he did not favour Anna Hazare's decision to disband the previous team after a faction went with Arvind Kejriwal for launching a political alternative. He opined that the remaining members could have continued their movement by creating awareness across the country. Now, with Anna Hazare deciding to continue his fight against corruption, former Justice Santosh Hegde is likely to be among crucial members of the coordination panel.

Gen. V K Singh

Couple of months after taking on the government in Supreme Court over his age row and his retirement, Former Army Chief General (retired) V K Singh shared dais with Anna Hazare in August this year. Since then, he has been seen with Anna Hazare several times. Though he was recnetly embroiled into a controversy after sharing stage with INLD leader Om Prakash Chautala, Anna Hazare has said that Singh has assured him that he would not join politics. In the wake of this statement by Anna Hazare, VK Singh is most likely to be induced in the new Team Anna.

Devender Sharma

A food and trade policy analyst and activist, Devender Sharma has been associated with Anna Hazare's movement for quite some time now. Moreover, he was the core team member of Ramdev's team also, when the latter staged protest at Ramlila Ground. As Shrama has stayed away from any political activity, he is likely to be approached by Anna Hazare for his new team.

Rajagopal PV

Rajagopal PV, a Gandhian activist, too quit the Team Anna with Rajender Singh citing the same reasons. When he was asked about possibility of joining new Team Anna, he had said that he will look into the possibility of joint the team after one-on-one discussion with Anna Hazare. As Anna Hazare is dealing personally with the selection of his team members, he is likely to convince Rajagopal to become the member of the team.

Rajender Singh

“Waterman of India” Rajender Singh, was a member of old Team Anna. However, he had quit the team accusing them of playing partisan politics during Hisar Lok Sabha by-election. Going by Singh's record in social service, speculations are rife that Rajender Singh could be a member of new Team Anna.

Prakash Singh

Known for his contribution to bring reform in Indian Police Services, former IPS officer Prakash Singh is one of the those who could be part of Anna Hazare's new team. The retired officer served as DG of Border Security Forces in Assam and Uttar Pradesh.

Minhas Merchant

A well know Author, editor and columnist Minhas Merchan is also being approached by Anna Hazare to be the party of his coordination panel of nearly a dozen people. Though Merchant does not have an activist background, he can play a big role in new Team Anna with his expertise in the field of media.

Bhure Lal

The man who once investigated Bofors scam as then chief of the Enforcement Directorate and credited to bring CNG fuel in Delhi, former bureaucrat Bhure Lal is also among the likely member of new Team Anna. He is know for working closely with people throughout his administrative career and could be a definite choice of Anna Hazare for his team.

Sunita Godara

Sunita Godara, country's former marathon runner, has been closely associated with Anna Hazare's anti-graft movement since the beginning. She too strongly opposed the idea of taking a political route for the Lokpal Bill. With immense contribution to the movement in past, the Arjuna award winner Godara is likely to join the core group of the new Team Anna.

While sharing the expected date for the announcement of his new team, Anna Hazre mentioned that there could be nearly 12 members in the coordination panel. However, till now these are the expected names that have come out. Anna Hazare is likely to announce the coordination panel on November 10.