Anna Hazare has a Change of heart: Comes out in support of Kejriwal
Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Monday endorsed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejariwal’s decision to resign if Janlokpal Bill is not passed in Delhi Assembly. Hazare supported Kejariwal and said, `instead of staying in power with such people who don’t pass this hill, he should resign.’
Hazare on Monday arrived from New Delhi and visited Sarhad School at Katraj. He unveiled painting of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during a function at Sarhad School. The function was presided over by social worker Suresh Mehta. Sarhad founder Sanjay Nahar welcomed Hazare at the campus.
While speaking to media persons Hazare said that Kejariwal has brought both the bills which are for the first time that any state in the country has brought. He said that as per the Lokpal Bill passed by the Union Government every state has to appoint Lokayuktas and Arvind has presented the bill for the same purpose. Despite this fact, if Congress is not supporting this bill, Hazare said, `then what is the point in staying in power with such people? Arvind should resign.’ Hazare said, `I had cautioned against forming a coalition or Khichadi Government which can not last more and this is waht happens. Arvind formed the Government since he wanted to avoid yet another election immediately after the elections results’.
Hazare told that Kejariwal along with his ministers met him at Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi on Sunday. He informed that Kejariwal wanted Anna to release the Bills and he told Kejariwal that if the bills are passed in the Delhi assembly he would think about it. Hazare told that the other bill of Swaraj was aimed at giving authority to Mohalla meetings which was parallel to his demand of many years of decentralization of power. Hazare said that the Mohalla meetings would decide about the priorities of the Mohalla and accordingly the Government would disburse the amount to Mohalla Sabhas and this Bill brought by Arvind is also for the first time in the country.
On the Subject of PCMC commissioner Pardeshi’s transfer
When asked about his letter to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan that he would lead the mass movement protesting against transfer of PCMC Commissioner Dr Shrikar Pardeshi, Hazare said, `it is for the people in PCMC to launch the agitation against this transfer and they should ensure during the elections that those who are behind this transfer don’t get elected again.’ When asked whether he would join the agitation in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Hazare kept mum.
