Anna flip-flops on Kejriwal

Social activist plans to start a campaign for free and fair elections

Changing his stance on extending support to candidates of Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the polls, social activist Anna Hazare has decided to collaborate with the Election Commission (EC) to carry forward a campaign for free and fair elections. He met the Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampat on Tuesday and sought his help for the campaign. 

Anna, who was discharged from a private hospital on Sunday after recovering from a brief illness, had discussions with members of the core committee of India Against
Corruption (IAC) and reviewed his relationship with the AAP.

Anna had earlier said that he believes in Kejriwal and would campaign for his “honest” candidates only to change his stand by stating last week that Kejriwal is now greedy and he would not support him.

On Tuesday, he not only decided against supporting the AAP or any other party, but also indirectly attacked Kejriwal.

“My stand on Kejriwal has changed with time. The reason will be revealed at the right moment. If I say anything now, it will create more trouble,” Anna told the media.

“If he thinks of my support, he is dreaming. I never asked any one to vote for a particular person or a party as I am not at all interested in politics,” he clarified.The anti-graft activist reiterated his plan to begin a nationwide campaign from January 30 from Gandhi Maidan in Patna. On January 11, on the eve of National Youth Day, he will administer oath to 1000 youngsters from across the country to work for the nation.

He also reiterated that he would launch a campaign for Jan Lokpal before the 2014 general elections as he felt the Bill in its current form tabled in the Rajya Sabha was weak.

“Anna has taken up the issue of free and fair elections and the issue of voter-awareness will become a part of his nation-wide mass awareness campaign. He revealed his plans on this count in his hour long meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner and emphasised on the same. The meeting was attended by all the Election Commissioners. The EC has promised all help including providing us with printed material,” said Sunita Godara, a member of the core committee of the IAC.

“Anna also put forward his demand of proper audit of election expenses and the Right to Reject,” revealed Godara.