Social activist Anna Hazare, once a mentor to Arvind Kejriwal, didn't mince words on Monday, May 13, 2024, as he criticized his former disciple. At 86 years old, Hazare urged voters to exercise caution in selecting the right candidate, emphasizing that the nation's power should not fall into unworthy hands. He stressed the importance of active participation in democracy, advocating for individuals of integrity and honesty to be chosen. With a firm belief that voters hold the key to the nation's future, Hazare underlined the significance of making informed choices.
Anna Hazare slams Arvind Kejriwal over Delhi Liquor Scam (Images: ET, PTI) LINK
Anna Hazare on Kejriwal
“Today is a festival of democracy. Everyone should partake in polling and vote for candidates who are honest and have integrity. Vote for those candidates who have clean images and don’t have ED after them. I condemn Arvind Kejriwal for his name emerging in the Delhi Liquor Scam. He did corruption because he was drowned in the addiction to liquor. Such people should not be voted again to power,” Anna Hazare said.
Hazare said: “I am very upset that Arvind Kejriwal, who used to work with me, raise his voice against liquor, is now making liquor policies. Kejriwal’s arrest is because of his own deeds.”
Anna Hazare's recent criticism of Arvind Kejriwal isn't the first instance of friction between the two. Back in March, Hazare had taken aim at Kejriwal following his arrest in the Delhi Liquor Scam case.
Anna Hazare’s comments after Kejriwal’s arrest in Liquor Scam Case
Following the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on March 21, 2024, in a money laundering case tied to the now-scrapped excise policy, social activist Anna Hazare commented that Kejriwal's detention was a result of his own "deeds."
"I am very upset that Arvind Kejriwal, who used to work with me, raise his voice against liquor, is now making liquor policies. His arrest is because of his own deeds," Mr Hazare said.
Arvind Kejriwal's Arrest
Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, found himself in hot water when the Enforcement Directorate apprehended him on March 21, 2024, in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. This move came after Kejriwal had ignored nine summonses from the Enforcement Directorate and the Delhi High Court, which had denied him protection from coercive actions by the probe agency. The case revolves around alleged irregularities and money laundering linked to the 2022 Delhi excise policy, which has since been rescinded. Kejriwal's arrest followed the recent detention of K Kavitha, Bharat Rashta Samithi (BRS) leader and daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, in connection with the same investigation.
Kejriwal's legal battles didn't stop with his arrest. Despite withdrawing his plea from the Supreme Court against his arrest, citing conflicts with his remand schedule, the apex court granted him interim bail till June 1. This decision came amidst opposition from the Enforcement Directorate, which argued that campaigning wasn't a constitutional right. The bail allowed Kejriwal to be released before Delhi votes on May 25. However, he must surrender on June 2 and will be back in jail on June 4, the day of counting and results.
Kejriwal's arrest is not an isolated incident within his party. Previously, Manish Sisodia, then Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, faced arrest by the CBI on February 26, following several interrogations. Similarly, on October 5, the ED arrested Sanjay Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, in connection with the same case.
The Evolution of the Relationship: Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal
The dynamic relationship between Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his former mentor Anna Hazare has traversed a complex trajectory. Initially, Kejriwal stood shoulder to shoulder with Hazare during the 2011 Jan Lokpal movement, emerging as a prominent figure in the anti-corruption crusade. However, the movement's transition into a political entity, AAP, in 2012, marked a pivotal shift, with Kejriwal accused of capitalizing on Hazare's goodwill to forge his own political path.
AAP's meteoric rise in Delhi politics, promising a departure from traditional politics with its emphasis on transparency and accountability, saw Kejriwal assume the role of Chief Minister in 2013, albeit for a brief period. Despite Hazare's reservations about AAP's political foray, he initially lent his support to Kejriwal's endeavors. However, disillusionment ensued when Kejriwal resigned from his post after just 49 days, prompting AAP's entry into the 2014 general elections. Despite their ideological differences, Hazare's criticism of Kejriwal's thirst for power was tempered with well wishes for AAP's future endeavors.
Following a tumultuous period marked by political setbacks and internal strife, Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Chief Minister of Delhi, made a concerted effort to refocus his attention on governing the national capital. After a resounding victory in the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections, where AAP secured a staggering 67 out of 70 seats, Kejriwal sought to make amends for past missteps, acknowledging the magnitude of public trust reflected in the electoral outcome. Yet, despite the initial euphoria, his second term in office was beset by controversies, including corruption allegations and internal discord. While Kejriwal attempted to deflect criticism by targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, his former mentor Anna Hazare voiced concerns over AAP's lack of transparency in financial matters, underscoring a growing disillusionment with the party's leadership.
As the political landscape continued to evolve, Hazare's disapproval of AAP's governance approach became increasingly apparent. His critical letter to Kejriwal highlighted the need for greater accountability and integrity within the party ranks. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls in April 2026 further compounded AAP's woes, with a decisive victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a significant setback for AAP. Despite attributing their electoral defeat to alleged "EVM tampering," AAP's credibility faced renewed scrutiny. As Kejriwal grapples with the aftermath of Hazare's critique and the party's electoral setbacks, the onus lies on him to address concerns raised by both Hazare and the electorate.
Anna Hazare's Previous Comments While Criticizing Arvind Kejriwal
“Kejriwal has worked with me for several years. I always told him that workers of an organisation should be well-mannered and behaved. They should be people with pure thoughts and should be people with clean image,” Hazare had said.
After the Assembly elections in Punjab and Goa, where the AAP faced humiliating defeat, Kejriwal raked up the issue of imaginary “EVM tampering.” Anna Hazare again lashed out at Kejriwal. “EVMs should not be done away with. Those who are voicing doubt over the machines are trying to take us back in time,” Hazare said.
Meanwhile, Anna has lashed out at Kejriwal for the humiliating drubbing. “Arvind Kejriwal has lost the trust of people. There is a difference in what Kejriwal is saying and what he is doing,” he said.
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