NEW DELHI:

Anna Hazare

on Monday night defended his key associate

Kiran Bedi

from the allegations of "air travel corruption", pointing fingers at a "

gang of four

" in the ruling party being behind the campaign against his team.

Observing that to accuse and humiliate seemed to be the mantra of "the few", the anti-corruption crusader said they were afraid of a Jan Lokpal taking shape fearing that the legislation would strip them of power.

With his team members facing allegations of financial malfeasance, Hazare expressed these views in his latest blog posting 'Rise and Fight against 'Gang of Four'.

The social activist however did not name the four persons whom he was referring to.

"To accuse and humiliate seems to be the mantra of the few. This is not the first time that such accusations have been levelled against Kiran Bedi. Every member of

Team Anna

had to face accusations and character assassination by the gang of four. Who are these people? Those are the very same people who are not in favor of

Jan Lokpal Bill

," he said.

Recalling the formation of the joint committee to draft Lokpal Bill, he said these people did not want the Jan Lokpal Bill passed.

Bedi, a former IPS officer, is under attack for overcharging organisations by inflating her travel bills though she claimed the money went to her NGO. She had offered to return the excess money collected from her hosts.

"I do not blame all the ministers from the Congress party or the government as a whole. There are some righteous and committed people in the government but they cannot raise their voice because of this 'gang of four'," Hazare said.