People Taught Lesson to Kejriwal For Opening Liquor Vends, Says Anna Hazare; Lauds Rekha Gupta's 'Pure Deeds'

New Delhi: Activist Anna Hazare on Friday said that while AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal was doing a "good job" as Delhi Chief Minister, he faced the people's wrath after starting liquor vends, and he also mentioned that Rekha Gupta becoming the new Chief Minister of the national capital was a matter of pride.

“As chief minister, Kejriwal should have set an example before society but he went astray, said Anna Hazare whose anti-corruption movement is credited for the birth of the Aam Aadmi Party.

Hazare said that people voted for Rekha Gupta and she became Chief Minister of Delhi because of her "pure thoughts and deeds."

Hazare Comments on Kejriwal’s Leadership and Liquor Vend Controversy

Anna Hazare praised Kejriwal’s work as Delhi CM but at the same time criticized him for facing public backlash after opening liquor vends.

“The earlier CM (Kejriwal) was doing a good job and became Delhi chief minister thrice. I did not speak anything (against him) as he was doing a good job.” Hazare said.

Hazare while criticizing Kejriwal for liquor vends, referring to the AAP government's controversial excise policy, he said, “But then slowly he started opening liquor vends and issuing licenses. Then I got upset,”

Also Read: 'Must Quit...': Anna Hazare's Advice to Kejriwal After AAP's Delhi Loss

Hazare is well-known for his strong opposition to the consumption and sale of liquor. His criticism of Kejriwal’s actions is rooted in his long-standing stance on this issue.

Kejriwal was once a close associate of Hazare in the anti-corruption movement, but their relationship soured when Kejriwal formed the AAP in 2012, leading to their split.

In the elections held earlier this month, the BJP successfully ousted the AAP from power in Delhi, with Kejriwal himself losing his seat in a surprising turn of events.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) have raised allegations of irregularities in the modification of Delhi’s excise policy for 2021-22, claiming undue favours were granted to licence holders, leading to the policy’s eventual scrapping.

(with agency inputs)