Hazare, Kejriwal in war of words over money

Gandhian Anna Hazare and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, partners till recently, were Tuesday locked in a war of words over money collected during the India Against Corruption (IAC) movement.

As Hazare raised questions about the funds but making it clear that he didn't doubt Kejriwal's integrity, the activist-turned-AAP founder-leader retorted that he would not contest elections if it was proved that he had used money given by people during the IAC campaign for his party.

"I have never said that Arvind is corrupt or collecting money in my name," Hazare told the media in his village Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra amid charges and counter-charges by both sides.

"I had some doubts, so I wrote to him. The letter was a personal communication and it was he (Kejriwal) who made it public," said Hazare.

"I was told that SIM cards were issued in my name during the IAC movement, the sale of which led to collection of funds," he said, referring to 2011 when Hazare fasted for 12 days at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, triggering mass protests in solidarity.

The Gandhian said someone had filed a petition in a court related to the SIM cards.

In New Delhi, Kejriwal insisted that the funds collected during the IAC movement against corruption were not used for AAP's election campaign, and he had repeatedly stated this to Hazare.

"Audit has been conducted on the funds received during the IAC movement several times. I am open to any investigation or scrutiny, but this should now happen in front of the public," Kejriwal said.

"Anna was aware of the way in which the funds were used. We have told him many times.

"If I am found guilty of misusing the (IAC) funds, then I won't contest elections," added Kejriwal, who is pitted against Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit in the New Delhi assembly constituency.

The AAP leader spoke after Hazare raised doubts about the money collected from the sale of SIM cards.

Hazare maintained that he would not campaign for any political party.

He also questioned Kejriwal's claim that the AAP would pass Hazare's Jan Lokpal Bill at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi if his party wins the election.

"Since I felt my name was being misused, I wrote the letter seeking a clarification. I have no interest in the money. My name should not be misused," Hazare said.