New Delhi:
Holding Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s alleged “dictatorial tendency” responsible for the rift within the Aam Aadmi Party, social activist Swami Agnivesh today said the party chief doesn’t consider anyone before him.
“Kejriwal has dictatorial tendency. He doesn’t allow anyone to stand before him. I have witnessed his attitude during anti-corruption movement led by social worker Anna Hazare,” 75-year-old Agnivesh told reporters here.
“I had warned Prashant Bhushan of Kejriwal’s behaviour during the movement. But Bhushan maintained silence over it. Today, he is bearing the brunt of Kejriwal’s attitude and the AAP is constantly being rattled by differences,” he said.
Agnivesh, who was also associated with the India Against Corruption movement initially, claimed that the AAP chief had “forced” Hazare to extend his indefinite fast during the agitation.
“I stand witness to Kejriwal’s words that Hazare can stretch his indefinite hunger strike for 10-15 days more even after the government had agreed upon considering their demand during the anti-graft agitation. He had even said that revolution needs sacrifice,” he said.
Agnivesh questioned Hazare saying, “Hazare, despite being aware of all happenings around, favoured Kejriwal. AAP was born out after hijacking anti-corruption agitation.”
He further claimed that Kejriwal used donation of Rs 5.50 crore, contributed for anti-corruption campaign, to form the AAP.
To a poser, he said, “Hazare has kept Jan Lokpal issue on the back burner and started the opposition to the Land Acquisition Bill. It looks he (Hazare) is doing so, to be in news. However, I fully respect him.”
Expressing concern over the recent Naxals attacks on security forces in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, he said that family of each martyr should get Rs 1 crore.
The government should look forward to resolve the Naxal problem through dialogue, he added.
