Anna Hazare Blames Arvind Kejriwal’s Focus on Power and Liquor for AAP’s Defeat in Delhi Elections
NEW DELHI: Following the AAP’s resounding defeat in the recent Delhi Assembly elections, social activist Anna Hazare has delivered a searing critique of Arvind Kejriwal, attributing the party’s downfall to a preoccupation with power and money. Hazare, who played a pivotal role in mentoring Kejriwal during the anti-corruption movement, expressed disappointment with Kejriwal’s shift in priorities.
Hazare’s Critique of Kejriwal’s Leadership
“Initially, I wasn’t unhappy with him, but when he took the wrong path, came into power, and his thinking changed—focusing on liquor shops and all—our ties ended,” Hazare stated. “Alcohol causes immense suffering to women. I am 90 but still healthy; if I had consumed alcohol, I would not be healthy,” he elaborated.
The veteran activist highlighted Kejriwal’s earlier promises of simplicity and public service, which he believes were forsaken once AAP secured control. “He used to say that he will stay in a small room all his life… Happiness is not found outside… Doing good work for society makes one happy from within. He did not understand this… Otherwise, he would have never thought of making the ‘Sheesh Mahal’,” Hazare said.
Breaking Away from Core Principles
Hazare’s remarks underscore the significant departure from the core principles that originally united the AAP and Kejriwal. “When he formed the party, people trusted and supported him. Later, however, he started promoting liquor and went after money, which has drowned him and his party today,” Hazare remarked.
AAP’s electoral Loss
The AAP’s defeat in the Delhi assembly elections was decisive, with the BJP securing over two-thirds of the seats, marking the end of a decade of AAP governance in the capital. Kejriwal himself lost his long-held New Delhi seat to BJP’s Parvesh Verma by a narrow margin of 4,089 votes. Other key AAP figures, including Manish Sisodia and Satyendra Jain, also suffered defeats.
Prime Minister Modi’s Victory Speech
The BJP’s return to power in Delhi, after a 27-year hiatus, was celebrated with strong remarks from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who referred to it as a “historic” victory. “The people of Delhi have driven out ‘AAP-da’. Delhi has been freed from the ‘AAP-da’,” Modi declared, employing a play on words to equate AAP with a disaster. He attributed his party’s success to its commitment to development and governance.
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The Role of Alcohol Policy
A central point of Hazare’s criticism is the AAP’s alcohol policy, which he believes contradicted the party’s initial anti-corruption stance and moral fabric. “Alcohol policies were never a part of the anti-corruption movement,” Hazare emphasized, underscoring the stark contrast between the AAP’s founding ideals and its governance priorities.
Conclusion
As Delhi transitions under BJP leadership, the aftermath of AAP’s electoral loss and Hazare’s provocative comments underscore the powerful influence of ideology and principle in public governance. The shift in priorities and the perceived abandonment of core values appears to have cost Kejriwal and the AAP dearly, as the electorate opted for a fresh start.
As the political landscape in Delhi evolves, the coming years will undoubtedly be closely watched for any attempts by AAP to realign with its original ethos and win back the trust of the Delhi electorate.
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