I am ready for consequences, says Kejriwal

Emboldened by support from other members of Team Anna, activist Arvind Kejriwal defended his statement that “murderers, rapists and looters” were sitting in Parliament, saying he was willing to face the consequences.

Emboldened by support from other members of Team Anna, activist Arvind Kejriwal defended his statement that “murderers, rapists and looters” were sitting in Parliament, saying he was willing to face the consequences.

His harsh statement made on Sunday was widely criticised — with the RJD also saying it would bring a privilege notice when Parliament meets — but social activist Anna Hazare and Prashant Bhushan came out in full support of Kejriwal, saying he had just stated facts.

"They are threatening to sue me for sedition and for insulting Parliament. I have stated the truth and am willing to face consequences thereof," Kejriwal tweeted on Monday.

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“Parliament and assemblies are temples of democracy and they watch blue films in temples, tear Bills and throw chairs. This Parliament has 15 MPs facing murder charges, 23 attempt to murder, 11 cheating section 420, 13 face kidnap charges. India has been dictatorship of party high command. Time to make it truly by, of and for the people.”

The political class, however, got split, with the BJP taking a U-turn from Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi's criticism of Kejriwal on Sunday to blame Kejriwal's anger on the misdeeds of the UPA government.

“In the last five years, the way this government has conducted itself and the manner in which it is functioning has forced not just Kejriwal but also the people of this country to think. The trust of the people has been broken," BJP spokesperson JP Nadda said.

The Congress, however, was quick to condemn Kejriwal’s statement. Party leader Digvijaya Singh in Lucknow d said: “I condemn Kejriwal's comment on the Parliament. He must tell that if Parliament is bad, parliamentary democracy is bad then in which type of system he believes: dictatorship?”