I no longer have relationship with Kejriwal: Anna Hazare - Hindustan Times
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I no longer have relationship with Kejriwal: Anna Hazare

Hindustan Times, Agra | By, Agra
Dec 13, 2017 01:44 PM IST

“I no longer have any relationship with Arvind Kejriwal,” asserted Hazare who was known to be Kejriwal’s mentor.

Social activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday said that affidavits would be taken from those joining his agitation in Delhi in March 2018, seeking a promise that they would neither join any political party nor form any so that no more Arvind Kejriwals are created as an outcome of such stirs.

Hazare was in Agra to address a public gathering at Shaheed Smarak here to gather support for his forthcoming agitation at Ramlila ground in Delhi from March 23.(HT Photo)
Hazare was in Agra to address a public gathering at Shaheed Smarak here to gather support for his forthcoming agitation at Ramlila ground in Delhi from March 23.(HT Photo)

“I no longer have any relationship with Arvind Kejriwal,” asserted Hazare who was known to be Kejriwal’s mentor. He added that he was not aware what the AAP leader had in mind while being part of the anti-corruption agitation in 2011.

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Hazare was in Agra to address a public gathering at Shaheed Smarak to gather support for his forthcoming agitation at Ramlila ground in Delhi from March 23 to press for election reforms and appointment of Lokpal.

He addressed a packed audience and highlighted farmer suicides all over the nation. Reminding about Gandhian principles not to exploit nature, he complained that no leader was serious towards plight of farmers.

In his address, Hazare said at the age of 25 he dedicated his life to the service of the nation and decided not to marry while leaving his family.

The 80-year-old activist distanced himself from the Congress and the BJP, saying that there is no difference between Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi as they both favour industrialists and are not committed to weeding out corruption.

According to him, demonetisation failed to weed out corruption as no black money was exposed and complaints of corrupt practices continued.

Hazare stated that there was no difference between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, as they both stood for industrialists and both weakened the Lokpal Bill promised after 2011 anti-corruption agitation.

“Demonetisation was aimed at exposing black money, but no results were attained and complaints of corruption continue to surface,” he stated. Disgruntled by the political system, Anna Hazare said politics could not ensure bright future for the youths.

“I am not against democratic procedure, but elections should be conducted in the true spirit of the Constitution and leaders should come from common public. We have attained independence and got rid of the British, but people of the nation are still awaiting democracy in true sense,” said Anna.

While Anna Hazare addressed the gathering, NSUI leaders stood outside the venue holding placards raising questions for the social activist to answer.

Former national secretary of NSUI, Amit Singh questioned the timing of Hazare calling for the agitation with parliamentary election ahead.

“Anna Hazare chose to remain silent on various issues of corruption involving BJP leaders in recent time. He had been silent on issues like GST and demonetisation since long and appears hand in glove with the BJP,” alleged Singh.

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Hemendra Chaturvedi is based in Agra serving as a Principal Correspondent, covering districts of Agra and Aligarh division of western Uttar Pradesh. He has been with HT since 1992 and has completed 25 year of association with HT.

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