was-saying-for-long-aap-didn-t-understand-hazare-slams-kejriwal

As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appeared set to secure a majority in the Delhi Assembly elections, social activist Anna Hazare took aim at Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for controversies surrounding liquor and alleged financial misconduct.

 

Hazare, who has long been critical of Kejriwal, attributed AAP’s dwindling support to what he described as a failure to uphold political integrity.

"I have been saying for a long time that while contesting the election, the candidate must have a character, good ideas, and have no dent on image. But, they (AAP) didn't get that. They got tangled in liquor and money—his (Arvind Kejriwal) image was dented because of it, and that's why they are getting fewer votes in the election," Hazare told mediapersons in Ahmednagar.

 

 

#WATCH | On #DelhiElectionResults, social activist Anna Hazare says, "I have been saying it for a long that while contesting the election - the candidate must have a character, good ideas and have no dent on image. But, they (AAP) didn't get that. They got tangled in liquor and… pic.twitter.com/n9StHlOlK9

— ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2025

Emphasising the importance of proving innocence in politics, Hazare added, "People saw that he (Arvind Kejriwal) talks about character but gets involved in liquor. In politics, allegations are made. One has to prove that he is not guilty. The truth will remain the truth... When a meeting was held, I decided that I would not be part of the party—and I have remained away from that day."

Also read: BJP crosses majority mark in Delhi; Atishi trails, Kejriwal leads

 

According to the Election Commission of India's update at 11:50 am, the BJP was leading in 46 of Delhi's 70 Assembly seats, while AAP was ahead in 24.

 

Key constituencies witnessed intense competition, with AAP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal trailing BJP's Parvesh Verma in New Delhi. In Kalkaji, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi faced a setback as she trailed BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri.

 

The electoral campaign witnessed sharp exchanges between leaders of the three major parties. While AAP sought a third consecutive term, the BJP aimed to return to power after over two decades.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the BJP’s charge, criticising Kejriwal's governance, particularly over alleged corruption and Yamuna water issues.

 

On the other hand, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused AAP of neglecting Delhi’s infrastructure.