Social activist Anna Hazare criticized Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday, suggesting that the Enforcement Directorate arrested him due to his own actions. Hazare, who led the Lokpal movement alongside Kejriwal, cautioned the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) against implementing controversial policies like the excise policy.
“I advised him to stay away from creating the excise policy as our main objective is not to deal with such matters. It’s common knowledge that alcohol is harmful. Despite my warnings, he proceeded with the policy,” Hazare stated during a press conference in his village Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra.
“He believed that this policy would bring in more money, which is why he pursued it. I was disappointed and even reached out to him twice. It saddened me to see Kejriwal, once my ally in the fight against alcohol, now involved in setting excise regulations.”
Hazare added, “His arrest is a consequence of his actions. If he had not indulged in such activities, there would be no reason for his arrest. Now, the law will take its course and the government will act accordingly.”
Former Supreme Court Judge N Santosh Hegde, another prominent figure in Hazare’s anti-corruption movement, also expressed disappointment with Kejriwal’s involvement in a money-laundering case linked to the excise policy.
“This incident highlights how greed can overpower individuals in positions of power,” remarked the former Solicitor General of India.
Hegde continued, “I am thoroughly disheartened. I envisioned that AAP, once in power, would uphold ethical governance, but that has not been the case. It demonstrates how power can corrupt, and absolute power can corrupt absolutely.”
Following AAP’s transformation into a political party, Hegde, the former Karnataka Lokayukta, distanced himself from it.
He explained, “I parted ways because contemporary politics is rife with corruption. No political faction is immune to it. Our crusade under the India Against Corruption movement aimed to cleanse the administration. It was our ethos to eschew politics and focus on purifying it, contrary to those advocating entry into politics to clean it, a notion I deemed unrealistic. The present scenario within AAP substantiates my concerns.”
Hegde revealed, “A specific reason for disengagement was my belief that the current political landscape is entrenched in corruption. The decision to transition into politics with a pledge to eradicate such malpractices, which I considered unattainable, has come to fruition within AAP.”
Regarding Kejriwal’s invitation to join AAP, Hegde declined.
Furthermore, Hegde shared his perspective on opposition claims of misuse of Central agencies like the ED and CBI by the BJP-led NDA government in various corruption allegations.
“I refute allegations of the ruling party solely targeting opposition entities. While selectivity is evident, no crime is committed since criminal litigation does not mandate equality under Article 14 of the Constitution. Despite scrutiny, a shift in power dynamics could lead to comparable actions against the BJP. Currently, partial justice prevails,” he articulated.
“When evaluating electoral candidates in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, prioritize qualities over affiliations such as caste. If no candidate sufficiently serves your constituency, resort to NOTA as a signal to political parties that being a politician requires true merit,” he emphasized.
Hegde emphasized his desire for widespread voter participation in the imminent Lok Sabha polls.
“Every eligible individual should cast their vote based on candidates’ merits. Utilize NOTA if necessary to convey that political eligibility transcends mere popularity,” he concluded.
(With PTI Inputs)