New Delhi – As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) edges closer to forming a government in Delhi for the first time in over 27 years, veteran activist Anna Hazare has sharply criticized the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), attributing its decline to the controversial liquor policy and a shift in priorities from public service to financial gains.
According to the latest data from the Election Commission of India, the BJP is leading in 44 out of 70 assembly constituencies, while AAP trails with 18 seats. Both parties have secured four seats each. Furthermore, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is on the verge of losing his New Delhi seat to BJP's Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma.
Commenting on AAP’s performance, Hazare, a key figure in the 2011 anti-corruption movement, stated, "The liquor policy introduced financial incentives into governance, and they succumbed to it. The party’s image was tarnished. People initially saw Kejriwal as an advocate for integrity, but the liquor controversy changed perceptions."
AAP, which Kejriwal founded in 2012 following the anti-corruption movement, has faced mounting criticism for allegedly deviating from its founding principles. Hazare further remarked, "They lost because they abandoned selfless public service and chose the wrong path. When money became their priority, their credibility suffered, ultimately leading to their defeat."
Kejriwal, once seen as Hazare’s protégé, distanced himself from the veteran activist after launching AAP as a political entity.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have accused the Delhi government of irregularities in the 2021-22 excise policy, alleging that undue advantages were extended to liquor license holders. The policy, implemented in November 2021, was later scrapped in September 2022 amid corruption allegations.
As BJP prepares to reclaim Delhi, AAP’s electoral setback underscores the growing scrutiny over its governance decisions, particularly the excise policy, which remains a focal point of political debate.
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