In the midst of the controversy over Delhi’s excise policy, social activist Anna Hazare has written to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of becoming enamoured with power and abandoning the beliefs and principles that gave birth to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
According to him, Kejriwal after becoming Delhi CM has lost his ideology. Anna Hazare wrote, “This is the first time I am writing to you after you became Chief Minister. The recent news about the Delhi government on the liquor scam is disheartening. I have been inspired by Gandhiji and his ideology. Based on this, I have dedicated my life to the people, society and the country. For the last 47 years, I have been working towards the upliftment of society and corruption.”
“You had written the book titled ‘Swaraj’ where you wrote about ideals. There was a lot of hope from you then, but after going into politics and becoming the Chief Minister, you have forgotten the ideology. Just like alcohol intoxication, there is an intoxication of power also. It looks like you have drowned in the intoxication of power. (Aap Satta Ke Nashe Mein Doob Gaye Hain).”
Hazare also hit out against Delhi’s new excise policy, which he said encouraged the sale and consumption of liquor. “Liquor shops were being opened in every corner of the city and it is very bad for the general public.”
Hazare mentioned rallies he organised in Maharashtra against liquor regulations. “I had anticipated a policy similar to Maharashtra’s. However, you did not do it. People appear to be caught in a vicious spiral of money for power and power for money. It is unsuitable for a party that came from a big movement,” Hazare penned down.
In the middle of the fatal COVID-19 epidemic in 2021, the Delhi Cabinet led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal authorised the tax policy. The policy was designed by the Delhi government to maximise revenue collection, reduce the sale of fake liquor or non-duty paid booze in Delhi, and improve user experience.
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