Kiran Bedi’s pro-BJP stand widens split with Arvind Kejriwal
The split within anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare’s aides seems to have come down to the middle. While Arvind Kejriwal guns for both the government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Kiran Bedi wants their movement to go soft on BJP, saying their support is needed.
Bedi also added that Kejriwal can’t give a political alternative overnight and skipped his Sunday’s protest outside Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and BJP President Nitin Gadkari’s residence.
“We had two goals. One was to prove with evidence how the Congress and BJP work together. They indulge in corruption together. Congress will not question BJP’s corrupt deeds and vice versa. They work in collaboration and have an understanding. The second message we wanted to convey is how dictatorial our government is,” Kejriwal said.
However, Kiran Bedi had a different stand. She said, “Arun Jaitely, Sushma Swaraj, LK Advani and Nitin Gadkari were receptive to our suggestions. Arvind and Bhushans had several meetings with them. And they agreed to support in some ways, not in all though. But at least they were not dismissive as the ruling party. Why must we forget this?”
When asked about Bedi’s difference of opinion, Kejriwal said, “Yes, we have some differences on this issue. She is of the opinion that BJP must not be targeted. We are trying to convince her that if the Congress loses and BJP wins, the situation will be the same.”
On reports claiming differences with Anna, Kejriwal said, “TV channels are showing videos of people wearing ‘I am Arvind’ caps. This is very unfortunate. Anna Hazare is our leader. I respect him like I do my father. He is our leader am just a soldier.”
