Mound of letters from would-be Anna volunteers

According to Datta Avari,an aide of Hazare,the BVJA has received around half-a-lakh letters from across the country mostly after the Jantar Mantar protest of Hazare. Earlier too,the BVJA used to receive a substantial number of letters,mostly complaints of corruption. The numbers saw a big leap after the Jantar Mantar protest of Hazare in New Delhi in April.

“Earlier,we used to receive about 50 letters a day,mostly corruption complaints within the state. Immediately after Jantar Mantar,we started getting about 300 letters. Some are from people expressing their desire to work for the anti-corruption movement,others are complaints and documents regarding corruption. The remaining,the biggest chunk,is letters declaring support for the anti-graft movement,” says Avari.

Most letters arrive by post and there are some who personally deposit their letters at the BVJA office in Ralegan Siddhi.

Anil Sharma supervising the work at BVJA says they look at educational background and profession to shortlist volunteers. Due to the recent demands,their religion and caste are also being looked into,he says.

“As of now,the list has about 80-90 people. The number may go up as about 3,000 letters remain to be sorted out. We are still receiving letters. We are working fast to prepare the final list by the end of this month so that a meeting of these people can be called in the first week of December,” says Sharma.

The list apparently contains about 7 to 8 names from Maharashtra,mostly from Mumbai and Nagpur. Also,the highest number of names is from UP. After the list is completed,people will be summoned to Ralegan Siddhi and screened before giving them responsibilities. Some of them may be inducted into the core committee.

Meanwhile,a state-level meet of BVJA district presidents started on Saturday at Hind Swaraj Trust. About 40 representatives from about 30 districts are participating. “For now,the Jan Lokpal Bill is the highest priority,” said a participant from Beed district.