'Kejriwal shattered my dream': Hazare?s anguished cry

Ralegan-Siddhi (Maharashtra), April 7: Veteran anti-corruption crusader Kisan Baburao alias An Hazare on Friday said he was pained to read about the allegations against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the Shunglu Committee Report. “He was my colleague in the fight against corruption... At that time, I felt the educated new generation could help rid the country of graft. But it was a big dream — and my dream lies shattered,” Hazare said in an anguished note. According to Hazare, when Kejriwal launched the (Aam Aadmi Party) political outfit, it was the Lord who gave him wisdom to keep away (from Kejriwal) or even “my reputation would been ruined”. “Since then, and even after he became the Chief Minister, I never felt a desire to meet him. Now, I understand why he always used to address me as his ‘Guru’. The Lord has saved me,” the 79-year-old said in a statement from his tive Ralegan-Siddhi model village in Ahmedgar district. He observed that Kejriwal was well aware that the tion was guided by the Constitution, but the manner in which Constitutiol niceties have been subverted in Delhi, “I can never endorse and I condemn those who speak of undermining the tion and society”. Recalling the years he spent with Kejriwal, Hazare said the youth is a powerful force and once it awakens, it has the potential to change the country’s future and how he looked up to Kejriwal with that expectation. “I had taught him the five important principles of leadership — Clean thoughts, Good conduct, Unblemished life, Sacrifice, and Ability to absorb insults — which could help better the society and the tion,” he said. (IANS)