Social activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday reiterated his demand to be excluded from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Arvind Kejriwal. He has objected to the AAP using his name in the Delhi election campaign, and also raised questions about funds raised during the India Against Corruption (AIC) movement being used by the AAP.
At a press conference, Mr. Hazare said, “I feel bad that my name has been used in campaigning. I will not support any political party.”
The money raised during the Jan Lokpal agitation should be used only for the movement and not for the AAP’s election campaign, he said. “I have no information on the money collected in donations during the India Against Corruption movement in 2011 and 2012.”
Mr. Hazare said he was informed of a PIL filed against him for selling sim cards named after him.
“I never knew about the sale of these SIM cards. I strove all my life to remain untainted. This has pained me,” he said.
Mr. Hazare had raised these concerns in a letter to Mr. Kejriwal on November 17. He also objected to the AAP’s promise of introducing “Anna’s Jan Lokpal” in Delhi this year if elected to power.
“Changes in the system begin from the Lok Sabha and not Assemblies,” the letter stated. It urged Mr. Kejriwal not to portray that Mr. Hazare is supporting the political party.
Replying to Mr. Hazare on Monday, Mr. Kejriwal said somebody was deliberately trying to spread misconceptions. “We have sincerely followed your request to not to involve you in the AAP campaign,” he said.
