Arvind Kejriwal wanted Anna Hazare to sacrifice his life during the latter’s fast-unto-death against corruption in 2011, said social activist Swami Agnivesh, a former member of Hazare’s core team.
“During the anti-corruption protests in Delhi, Kejriwal told us that revolution demands martyrdom,” Agnivesh told reporters at Aurangabad on Monday.
“Hence, Kejriwal was trying to further intensify the agitation, and if Anna had sacrificed his life during the fast, Kejriwal would have been the sole successor of the movement.”
Agnivesh claimed Hazare knew of Kejriwal’s plan and hence, sought intervention from the late Vilasrao Deshmukh, who was then minister in the UPA government, to negotiate on the government’s behalf and end the fast-unto-death.
Hazare’s fast ended after 12 days.
Agnivesh also said the anti-corruption crusader had damaged his own image by relying excessively on Kejriwal and others during the 2011 movement.
Kejriwal later parted ways with Hazare and went on to float his Aam Aadmi Party.
Agnivesh split from Hazare’s anti-corruption movement in August 2011, following controversy regarding a video of Agnivesh talking with an unidentified person, allegedly a minister in the UPA government.
Agnivesh was then accused of being a broker for the ruling Congress-led UPA government, the target of Hazare’s anti-graft movement.
{{/usCountry}}Agnivesh was then accused of being a broker for the ruling Congress-led UPA government, the target of Hazare’s anti-graft movement.
{{/usCountry}}Hazare could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.