Patna, Aug. 19: State BJP president C.P. Thakur today denied any direct support from the party or the RSS to Anna Hazare team and its movement against corruption.

Speaking at the party office, Thakur said: “The RSS and the BJP is not giving any direct support to Anna Hazare and his team but as far the protest is concerned, it’s good as the they are fighting against corruption. The quantum of corruption compared to JP period has increased and two-day agitation will not be enough. It requires a sustained struggle.”

“Any movement against corruption has to be a long-drawn process. The campaign of Anna Hazare is limited to a bill and there is a possibility that it may vanish after some time. Therefore, our party will continue the movement against the corruption and we need to take it to the grassroots level,” he added.

Talking about the state BJP plans, Thakur said: “The party has already organised demonstrations at more than 150 blocks across the state and it will continue till the 28th of this month. Our party will take the struggle to the panchayat level, it has to be a mass movement, then only can we bring a change in society. I went to Delhi few days back and saw young people have also come on the road in support of Anna Hazare. Being associated with the JP movement, I must say that there is no doubt that the current movement is taking the shape of JP andolan. The atmosphere of revolution is building up.”

“As far as bringing the Prime Minister under the ambit of Lokpal bill is concerned, I support the stand. What’s wrong in that? If he is so clean, I do not think he should have any fear from the bill. The kind of mass support Anna is getting is appreciable but again I am saying that it needs a push for a longer time. The issue of corruption is spread to every level and the kind allegations the Congress is facing is unimaginable. If the BJP would have been in power, we would have resigned from the post,” Thakur added.

Accepting the BJP could not generate mass support like Anna, the BJP leader said: “I accept that our party could not generate mass support though being the first to raise voice in Parliament. The media has also played a very significant role in it.”