New Delhi, Aug 30 : Social reformer and anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday wrote an open letter to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal reminding him of his own words from his book “Swaraj” while criticizing Delhi’s liquor policy as well as accusing the chief minister of becoming drunk with the power.Kejriwal wrote ‘Swaraj’ in 2012 before joining politics.
“Before entering politics you wrote a book ‘Swaraj’.You had received the introduction of the book, written by me.The Gramsabha was the subject of your boasting as well as the drinking policy in the book.What you wrote is to remind you of this,” stated Hazare in his letter.
He also quoted Kejriwal’s words from the book , which deal with the issue of the problem of alcohol dependence in the villages , and its solutions.
Hazare stated further in the letter “You had written with perfection in the book, and I had high expectation from you.
“But it appears that you’ve lost the words you spoke of after entering the political arena and being the chief minister.The new excise policy that you’ve formulated, seems to encourage the habit of drinking alcohol.
The policy could cause liquor stores to be opened in all corners of the state.As a result, it could increase corruption, which does not sit in the favor of the public, however you chose to implement this kind of policy.”
“It appears that since alcohol is a source of intoxication, it also comes with the power.You also were consumed with power,”” Anna Hazare said in the letter.
Informing Kejriwal of Team Anna meeting held on September 18, 2012 when Kejriwal announced his plans of entering politics, Hazare said, “You did not realize that forming a political party was not the goal of our group.
“Seeing Delhi Excise Policy, it appears that the party created by scrapping the historic movement has taken the same track as other parties are on which is a very regrettable situation,” he said.
“I write this letter as we first prohibited drinking alcohol in Ralegan Siddhi village.We repeatedly protested to establish a good liquor policies in Maharashtra.
The protests led to a law prohibiting the sale of alcohol.If 51 percent of women women in the village and city decide in favor of prohibition that means there will be an alcohol ban” The letter states.
“Such the policy was anticipated from the Delhi government too.But you didn’t take it.People are also trapped in this cycle of power to money and money to money, just like other parties.This is not a good fit for the political party that was created out of an important social movement.” the seasoned social reformer said in his letter.
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