The prime minister’s last letter to Anna Hazare wherein he had reiterated his commitment to deal with the issue of graft seriously wasn’t mere lip service. Just that his government seems to have begun it from Team Anna members only.

In April, father-and-son lawyers Shanti and Prashant Bhushan faced allegations, long since discredited, that they undervalued property to avoid taxes. Arvind Kejriwal has been struggling to resolve questions over an unpaid income tax bill and his handling of donations to the Team Anna’s anti-corruption struggle. Kiran Bedi's travel expense woes increased recently when her travel agent resigned in a spat over the inflated bills.

However, scavenging through reams of old records at Ralegan Siddhi seems to have yielded little, or nothing, for the Congress to claim any dig-taking vijay and the old, penniless Gandhian still had the last laugh.  

Witch-hunting is an unparliamentary word. And how does it matter, the “fabled four” of Congress party would contest, whether cleansing begins at home or the enemy’s camp? True, for a government, which has almost a cabinet strength in Tihar jail, the question is of little importance. But for Team Anna’s movement against corruption, it is a million-dollar question. Where does cleansing begin?

Kejriwal has directly blamed the UPA government headed by the Congress party for misusing the state machinery to go after Team Anna members, and added that the core committee strongly opposes such tactics. He has himself decided to pay over Rs 9 lakh dues to the income tax department so that his resignation from the IRS is accepted. However, he added that his move should not be seen as admitting to the government’s argument that he violated bond conditions and that he reserves his right to approach court against it. Kejriwal has almost come out clean.

However, teammate Kiran Bedi isn’t that lucky. Despite Bedi agreeing to return the excess amount, the controversy related to overcharging host organisers for her air-travels refused to die down. The former IPS had earlier defended her actions by saying that the excess money was used for her NGO India Vision Foundation and not for personal gains. She later said that the overcharged money would be returned. But that was perhaps too little, too late.   

What Bedi, or any other team member who comes under a similar attack, must realise is the enormity of the task ahead of them and moral responsibilities attached therewith. Support of masses is manifestation of god. And god’s own people cannot and should not be fallible. There is no shame in stepping back and supporting the movement from outside. Lakhs of people who supported/support the movement were all part of it without being a core committee member. What’s more important is that individual deficiencies should not weaken the movement.     

The recent attacks on Team Anna members might be targeted, these were not unexpected. So where was the plan to deal with these? Their decision to formulate a constitution for anti-corruption movement and revamp the core committee after that might be earnest, it is not early. In a written communication which was read out by Kejriwal after a team meeting at Ralegan Siddhi recently, Hazare said the constitution will have provisions on who can be members of the core committee and working committee of the team as well as their character; and whoever engaged in any wrongdoing will be dealt with according to the constitution. Much embarrassment could have been spared to the team had this been deliberated upon earlier.

Cleansing begins at home. Only a house in order can give a call for order. And a house stands on its pillars. If pillars show cracks, it is a serious matter. Whatever and however can be repaired should be repaired; and if repair will not do, replacement will. Masonry is not molecular science. But this simple chore has a lesson or two for Team Anna to build on. After all, for want of a horseshoe nail…the kingdom cannot be lost.