Anna Hazare blames Arvind Kejriwal for AAP's poor performance in Delhi Assembly elections
New Delhi: Social activist Anna Hazare on Saturday criticised Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its national convener, Arvind Kejriwal, following the party's poor performance in the Delhi Assembly elections. Hazare attributed AAP’s defeat to inadequate leadership, scandals, and a focus on political controversies rather than governance.
Speaking to reporters, Hazare said he had repeatedly advised AAP leaders to uphold integrity and avoid controversies, but they failed to do so. He remarked, "I have always maintained that candidates should have a pure character and an unblemished reputation. However, AAP got entangled in liquor and financial scandals, which damaged Kejriwal’s credibility and led to the party’s struggles in the election."
Hazare also stated that while accusations are common in politics, maintaining innocence is crucial. He reiterated his decision to stay away from AAP since its formation, saying, "I chose not to be part of the party from the very beginning and have kept my distance ever since."
As per the latest trends, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was leading in 48 out of 70 seats, while AAP was ahead in 22. With a majority mark of 36, BJP appeared set to form the next government in Delhi.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
