AAP’s win is Narendra Modi’s defeat, says Anna Hazare

SHOUMOJIT BANERJEE

The social activist gave his best wishes to his former protégé and once-trusted lieutenant

Lauding the Aam Aadmi Party’s massive success in the Delhi Assembly election and expressing happiness on the triumph of his former protégé and once-trusted lieutenant, AAP leader Arwind Kejriwal, veteran anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarking that the people of the country had lost faith in the Modi government.

“This [Delhi election] is Narendra Modi’s defeat. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s rout should not be blamed on Kiran Bedi alone,” said Mr. Hazare, addressing reporters at his village in Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district Tuesday morning as reports of the AAP’s landslide win streamed in.

Expressing pride that Mr. Kejriwal’s political genesis had its origins from his avowedly non-political 'India Against Corruption' movement, the 77-year-old activist however said he was not likely to attend Mr. Kejriwal’s swearing-in ceremony. He said that as yet he had not received any communication from Mr. Kejriwal.

When asked whether he had any advice for Mr. Kejriwal, the septuagenarian activist quipped: “Arwind knows how to run a government. He is a graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur. He is extremely clever and skilful. Who am I to give him any advice?”

Mr. Hazare said his best wishes were always with Mr. Kejriwal and expressed hope that the AAP would avoid the pitfalls that may have plagued its past term in power in Delhi.

Stating that people had decisively given their verdict, he heaped censure on the Modi government’s passing of the ordinance on the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 on the pretext of 'easing land acquisition'.

“What sort of an ordinance is this? Snatching fertile farmlands from farmers and giving them to corporates. People have been betrayed by the actions of the BJP government. Its tall promises of ‘Achche Din’ have proven utterly hollow,” said Mr. Hazare, flaying the Central government.

IANS adds:

Gandhian activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday extended his “best wishes” to his protege and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal as his party headed for a landslide win in the Delhi assembly election.

“I extend my best wishes to Kejriwalji,” Mr. Hazare told journalists at his village Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra.

Mr. Hazare urged Mr. Kejriwal “not to forget that ‘andolan’ [India Against Corruption struggle for Jan Lokpal Bill] whether or not you are the chief minister”.

He said Mr. Kejriwal had earned the people's trust by taking part in the anti-corruption agitation. “That is why he got so much support now. I urge him not to make the mistakes he committed earlier.”

http://www.thehindu.com/elections/delhi2015/best-wishes-to-you-anna-hazare-tells-arvind-kejriwal-after-aam-aadmi-party-takes-huge-early-lead-in-counting-of-votes-in-delhi-assembly-elections-2015/article6877963.ece?homepage=true