Guwahati: Social activist Anna Hazare wrote a letter to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accusing him of becoming “intoxicated with power” and losing the principles and ideals of the movement that gave birth to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The letter from Anna Hazare comes in the midst of the continuing political battle over the now-cancelled Delhi Excise Policy.
Anna Hazare wrote, “This is the first time I am writing to you after you became Chief Minister. The recent news about the Delhi government on the liquor scam is disheartening. I have been inspired by Gandhiji and his ideology. Based on this, I have dedicated my life to the people, society and the country. For the last 47 years, I have been working towards the upliftment of society and corruption.”
“10 years ago on 18 September 2012, all the members of Team Anna had a meeting in Delhi. At that time, AAP had talked about adopting the political path. But you forgot that forming a political party was not the aim of our movement. At that time there was a belief in the public’s mind about Team Anna,” the noted activist wrote.
“You had written the book titled ‘Swaraj’ where you wrote about ideals. There was a lot of hope from you then, but after going into politics and becoming the Chief Minister, you have forgotten the ideology. Just like alcohol intoxication, there is an intoxication of power also. It looks like you have drowned in the intoxication of power. (Aap Satta Ke Nashe Mein Doob Gaye Hain).”
Hazare also criticised Delhi’s new excise law, claiming it promoted the sale and use of alcohol.
The excise policy was passed in Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Cabinet in the middle of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic in 2021.
According to the Delhi government, the policy was created to promote maximum revenue generation, end the sale of counterfeit or duty-exempt alcohol in Delhi, and enhance user experience.
Meanwhile, Tuesday saw a search of Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s bank lockers as part of the ongoing CBI investigation into the policy. Earlier, his home was searched. One of the 15 defendants listed in the CBI’s FIR is Sisodia, who oversees the excise portfolio for the Delhi government in addition to many other duties.