AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said he would personally invite his “guru” Anna Hazare for his swearing-in ceremony at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on Saturday.
“Anna Hazare is my guru and I would personally talk to him on phone to invite him for the swearing-in ceremony,” Mr. Kejriwal told reporters in New Delhi.
Asked if he would travel to Delhi for the ceremony, Mr. Hazare said in his native Ralegan Siddhi village, “I am not well”.
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“I can’t say right now. I am not well,” Mr. Hazare said when asked again.
The Gandhian had said two days back that he is yet to receive an invitation for the swearing-in ceremony but would not attend even if he got one owing to ill-health.
Mr. Hazare had earlier declined to comment on the Kejriwal-led AAP’s decision to form the new government in Delhi, but added he would express his views when his former protégé acts on the Lokayukta issue.
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Mr. Hazare had parted ways with Mr. Kejriwal following his decision to form a political party.
The relations between the Gandhian and the AAP leader had hit a new low when he recently ordered Gopal, a frontline leader of Mr. Kejriwal’s party, to leave his fast venue and village after he engaged in a spat with former Army chief General V.K. Singh, who had criticised Mr. Kejriwal and others for having deserted Mr. Hazare and formed a political party. The AAP had immediately recalled Mr. Rai from Mr. Hazare’s fast venue.