Saddened by Kapil Mishra’s graft charges against Arvind Kejriwal: Anna Hazare

Anti-corruption activist and former colleague of Arvind Kejriwal, Anna Hazare on Sunday said that corruption charges against Kejriwal has made him ‘’deeply sad’’ and he will study the matter in-depth to issue a detailed statement.

79-year-old social activist, who was the main force behind widely supported Jan Lokpal agitation in 2011 said, he had been following the entire AAP episode on television and sad to see corruption allegations against Kejriwal, who was also his former protege.              

“I have been a part of the anti-corruption movement for the last 40 years. Kejriwal joined me later and we did succeed in the state elections. In fact, the Delhi election victory was because of Kejriwal’s campaign against serious corruption in Delhi. But today he himself is facing the allegations of accepting money, which is a very painful for me,” Hazare said.

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His statement came hours after sacked Delhi minister Kapil Mishra accused Arvind Kejriwal, a crusader against corruption, of taking Rs 2 crore from Delhi’s health minister Satyendar Jain, a charge refuted by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

Kumar Vishwas, whom Mishra is said to be close to, has also defended the Delhi CM, saying "no one would believe Kejriwal took bribe".

 "I have known Kejriwal for 12 years. I can't think that he will indulge in corruption," said Kumar.

The allegation by Mishra, who was sacked from the Delhi cabinet Saturday night, came amid growing grumbling in the Aam Aadmi Party.