'Kejriwal focused on liquor': Anna Hazare as AAP faces defeat
What's the story
Veteran social activist Anna Hazare has slammed former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of being consumed by "money and power."
This comes as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is set to face a historic defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections. Kejriwal himself has lost to BJP's Parvesh Verma from the New Delhi constituency.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to take control of Delhi after 27 years in opposition.
Policy criticism
Hazare expresses disappointment over Kejriwal's liquor policy
Notably, Hazare, who was the driving force behind the 2011 anti-corruption movement that resulted in the formation of AAP, was disappointed with Kejriwal's liquor policies.
He said, "I have always said that a candidate's conduct, thoughts should be pure, life should be without a blame, and sacrifice should be there."
Hazare said his warnings to Kejriwal fell on deaf ears.
Policy controversy
Delhi government's liquor policy under scrutiny
The Delhi government's 2021-22 liquor policy reportedly benefited private wholesalers and retailers while allegedly permitting kickbacks to AAP leaders.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged that the policy offered high profit margins to wholesalers and retailers.
Hazare had earlier opposed this policy in a 2022 letter to Kejriwal, saying: "This is the first time I am writing to you since you became Chief Minister, because I am pained at recent news reports about your government's liquor policy."
Election results
BJP poised to reclaim power in Delhi
Poll trends suggest the BJP is set to return to power in the national capital after over two decades.
Jubilant BJP supporters have thronged outside the party's Delhi headquarters to celebrate with drumbeats and fireworks.
The AAP's iron grip over Delhi, which started with a landslide victory in 2015, when it won 67 seats, now seems to be crumbling.