Anna Hazare says he won’t vote for AAP

Mangalore Today/ CNN/IBN

New Delhi, Dec 6: Blaming Arvind Kejriwal’s fascination for power for split in anti-graft movement, Anna Hazare on Thursday said he will not vote for the Aam Aadmi Party charging that it is going the same way as others by taking the path of ’money through power’ and vice versa. Asked whether his former aide has become "greedy" for power, the 75-year-old activist said, "It was right".

"I thought I will (vote for AAP) but now I find it difficult because it is being seen that it is moving towards the path of ’money through power and power through money’, I will not be anywhere near them," he said. He was responding to a question whether he will vote for AAP, the party formed by Kejriwal after his split with Hazare on the question of the anti-corruption movement taking a political plunge.

 

Hazare has earlier said that he will support the party if it fields honest candidates and that will campaign for Kejriwal if he fights against Union Minister Kapil Sibal. Asked whether Kejriwal has become greedy for power and it resulted in the split, Hazare said, "This is right. Earlier I used to think that Arvind is into selfless service. But I don’t understand how this thought of entering politics came into his mind."

He also agreed to a question it was Kejriwal’s political ambition that led to the split. "A movement was on for the first time after independence for system change. People were coming out. I thought a good movement has been evolved. There was a feeling that this will earn results. But at that time, I don’t understand, how such a thinking came into his mind," Hazare said.

He said there was a need for unity in the fight for system change and against corruption among all including Kejriwal, Swami Ramdev and others. "This revolution is not complete. We need to stand united. We all, Ramdev, Arvind, all should fight together. Arvind faltered on way. Ramdev also should severe links with communal organisations," he said.

On Narendra Modi, he said that there were a lot of corruption in Gujarat and as Chief Minister, he has not brought Lokayukta Bill in his state. "Why is he not bringing the bill? Everyone is into making money using power," he said.