The 80-year-old anti-corruption crusader, whose previous agitation propelled many leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, to the national limelight has decided that those who wish to associate with him now will have to swear in an affidavit that they will not join politics in future.
"During past agitations, among those who associated with me, one is a chief minister, another is a governor and yet another is a minister. Now if anyone associated with me joins politics in future, I will take him to the court. We are taking affidavits from those joining my agitation that they will not enter electoral politics," Hazare told PTI.
"Gandhiji used to say that every agitation should have a character. Now a days, nothing is based on character. The only objective is to catapult one to power. Anti-social and unscrupulous elements have entered politics and are being given tickets. We have to see quality of agitations and not go by the numbers," said Hazare, explaining the reason for the condition that he has laid for those desirous of joining him.
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Totaliser machines are used to mix votes before counting to prevent disclosure of voting patterns, thereby allaying fears of any post-poll victimisation of any section. BSP supremo Mayawati and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav have been demanding the use of paper ballots in future elections, alleging that EVMs were tampered with to benefit the BJP.
I am going to the masses to change the mind set of the people, he said.
Also, the BJP had made a lot of promises during elections, but people are still waiting for the 'acchey din' even though its government's term is approaching its end, he said.
There is no difference between the BJP and the Congress as far as matter of corruption are concerned, he alleged.
He added that a long time had passed since demonetisation but the government has not been able to tell how much black money had returned.
"Both the Congress and the BJP are after grabbing power and money. They are only concerned about strengthening their parties," Hazare said.
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