In a hard-hitting letter to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Anna said the latter has forgotten all the ideologies and values of the movement after coming to power.
“Like the intoxication of alcohol, political power too has its intoxication. You (Kejriwal) too are intoxicated by such power, it seems,” said Anna in his letter.
The veteran Gandhian also slammed Delhi’s new excise policy. “The new liquor policy encouraged the sale and consumption of liquor. Liquor shops were being opened in every corner of the city. It’s very bad for general public,” said Anna in the letter.
Trapped in circle of ‘money for power & power for money’
“Had expected a similar policy (like Maharashtra’s). But you didn’t do it. People seem to be trapped in a circle of money for power & power for money. It doesn’t suit a party that emerged from a major movement,” he writes.
The excise policy was passed by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi cabinet in the middle of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. The Delhi government’s version is that the policy was formulated to ensure the generation of optimum revenue, and eradicate the sale of spurious liquor or non-duty paid liquor in Delhi, besides improving user experience.
The CBI had filed a case against alleged corruption in the 2021-22 excise policy. The excise policy was subsequently withdrawn by the AAP government.
Earlier this month, CBI raids on Manish Sisodia’s official residence in connection with the alleged corruption in the implementation of Delhi’s Excise Policy.
Watch Anna Hazare writes to Kejriwal, says ‘AAP has become like any other political party in country’