It is Modi's debacle: Anna Hazare on Delhi polls

Ralegan-Siddhi (Maharashtra), Feb 10: Veteran social crusader Anna Hazare on Tuesday termed the outcome of Delhi election results as "a defeat for Narendra Modi" and expressed happiness at Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party's performance.

"This was expected. The result is a defeat for (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi. What did the Bharatiya Janata Party do in the past nine months?" Hazare told mediapersons as the results showed a big win for the AAP in the national capital.

He said the BJP only made promises to tackle corruption. "Instead they took anti-people and anti-farmer decisions. They lost public confidence."

Expressing happiness at the astounding victory of his former colleague Kejriwal, Hazare described him as "a very sharp person with good all-round experience".

"Kejriwal must not forget the anti-corruption crusade and should work for public benefit. He must avoid his past mistakes and work with simplicity," Hazare advised.

He expressed confidence that Kejriwal would live up to the expectations of the people of Delhi.

Kejriwal became a household name when he was a key aide to Hazare when the latter launched a hunger strike at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi in 2011 in support of a Lokpal Bill.

Hazare urged Kejriwal "not to forget that 'andolan' (struggle) whether or not you are the chief minister".

He said Kejriwal earned people's trust by taking part in that anti-corruption agitation.

IANS