Anna is my ‘guru’ and I would personally invite him for the swearing-in ceremony oath : Kejriwal

 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”.

“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.

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.