Arvind Kejriwal wanted Anna Hazare to sacrifice his life: Agnivesh

Zee Media Bureau

Pune: Arvind Kejriwal, the chief of Aam Aadmi Party, wanted Anna Hazare to sacrifice his life during the latter’s fast-unto-death against corruption in 2011, claimed Swami Agnivesh, the former member of Team Anna. Talking to reporters in Aurangabad on Monday, the social activist said: “During the anti-corruption protests in Delhi, Kejriwal told us that revolution demands martyrdom...Hence, Kejriwal was trying to further intensify the agitation, and if Anna had sacrificed his life during the fast, Kejriwal would have been the sole successor of the movement.” According to Agnivesh, Anna had information about Kejriwal’s plan and hence, demanded intervention from Maharashtra`s former chief minister Late Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, who was minister in the UPA government at that time, to offer parley on the government’s behalf and end the fast. Anna, whose fast concluded after 12 days, was responsible for denting his own image by relying markedly on Kejriwal during the movement in 2011, added Agnivesh. Agnivesh was ousted from Team Anna in August for his alleged proximity to the UPA government.