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Turnaround: Hazare pats Kejriwal’s back for Delhi show
Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Sunday expressed happiness over a stunning performance by the Aam Admi Party (AAP) in the Delhi assembly elections and said Arivind Kejriwal would one day become the chief minister on his party’s strength.
Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Sunday expressed happiness over a stunning performance by the Aam Admi Party (AAP) in the Delhi assembly elections and said Arivind Kejriwal would one day become the chief minister on his party’s strength.
Earlier, during the heat of poll campaigns, Hazare had accused Kejriwal and AAP of misusing his name by publishing his picture on campaign posters.
The veteran Gandhian, who is to go on indefinite fast from December 10 for the Jan Lokpal bill, warned the Congress of “mending its ways” else people would teach them a lesson.
“The established parties, like the Congress had all the resources, including money. I am very happy that Arvind’s party has performed well by surging ahead in 29 seats,” Hazare said at his hometown Ralegan Siddhi.
Appreciating Kejriwal, he said, “From zero, Arvind fought elections and achieved this… One day he will become the chief minister on the strength of his party workers.”
He, however, cautioned Arvind against joining hands with other parties as the alliances always force a party to compromise with the principles it stands for. “If it is not possible to form a government, fresh elections should be held," he said.
Hazare said, “Delhi is the centre of politics of country's politics. It is not an easy task to defeat a government which is ruling there with just a broom in hand.”
He said, “People are angry with the Congress as it deceived them by not bringing the Lokpal bill. People have voted for AAP because they thought the new party would be better than the Congress… If the Congress does not mend its ways, the people will teach it a lesson during the Lok Sabha elections. If the time comes I will tour the nation to tell people not to send cheaters to Parliament.”
The anti-corruption crusader defended his decision not to campaign for Kejriwal’s party saying, "It is a party and so it is difficult for me (to campaign). I do not campaign for any political party."
