NEW DELHI: Hours after Delhi chief minister and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday declared that he will step down from his position within the next two days, social activist Anna Hazare said “what had to happen has happened”.
Expressing his disappointment over Kejriwal not following his advice, Hazare said: “I told him since the beginning that you should not join politics but serve the people.We have worked together for many years and told him the same thing. He never listened to me and today what had to happen has happened.”
Speaking to the media from his hometown in Ralegan-Siddhi, Hazare said: “I repeatedly told Kejriwal not to go into politics. Serve society, and you will become a great man. We were together for many years, and during that time, I often told him that social service gives happiness.”
“Increase happiness, but he did not take those words to heart. Today, what was bound to happen has happened. How would I know what is truly in his heart?” he added.
Expressing his disappointment over Kejriwal not following his advice, Hazare said: “I told him since the beginning that you should not join politics but serve the people.We have worked together for many years and told him the same thing. He never listened to me and today what had to happen has happened.”
Speaking to the media from his hometown in Ralegan-Siddhi, Hazare said: “I repeatedly told Kejriwal not to go into politics. Serve society, and you will become a great man. We were together for many years, and during that time, I often told him that social service gives happiness.”
“Increase happiness, but he did not take those words to heart. Today, what was bound to happen has happened. How would I know what is truly in his heart?” he added.
The Maharashtra-based social activist, who became the face of the 2011 anti-corruption movement, revealed that he had advised the AAP supremo to focus on social work rather than entering politics.
Earlier in April 2024, Hazare had slammed Kejriwal after the CM was arrested in connection with the Delhi excise case, saying that “it was consequences” of his own action.
“Delhi CM Kejriwal was arrested because of his own deeds,” Hazare had said, adding that it makes him sad that Kejriwal, who while working with him raised voice against liquor, is now “rolling out liquor policy“.
Arvind Kejriwal had joined Anna Hazare’s Lokpal movement in 2011 against corruption. Later he formed the AAP and contested the Delhi assembly elections.