Neglected by Anna Hazare, 'comrades' keen to embrace Arvind Kejriwal

The launch of veteran Gandhian Anna Hazare’s new movement, seems to have had a spiralling effect on his Bhrashtachar Virodhi Jan Andolan (BVJA).

Many of the former BVJA members, who had been removed by Hazare and many of the current members are making a beeline to be included in Aam Aadmi Paty (AAP) — the political outfit launched by Hazare’s former team member Arvind Kejriwal.

AAP is now concentrating on setting up district-level committees and many of the former ‘comrades’ of BVJA have already been given important positions.

While AAP is cautious in its stance of including such people within their folds, Hazare, on Thursday, sought to downplay any possible consequences about this.

BVJA, the registered trust of Hazare operating from Ralegan Siddhi, had spearheaded many anti-corruption movements in the past. However, in the recent days, BVJA has been plagued by allegations of wrongdoings by its members. Also, Hazare’s new movement, which will be an apolitical answer to Kejriwal’s AAP, had put a question mark on the fate of BVJA.

Preeti Sharma Menon, official spokesperson of AAP, confirmed that the many of the erstwhile and current members of BVJA had expressed their desire to join AAP. “Our only criterion for potential members is that they have to be dedicated to the cause and be ready to work,” she said.

Senior leaders of AAP said that the senior leaders of BVJA in Nashik, Satara, Sangli and other districts have been calling them and expressing their desire to join them. “The uncertainty about BVJA it seems is plaguing the minds of such members and hence they are calling us,” said a senior AAP leader.