The Dynamic Relationship Between Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal: A Closer Look
The relationship between Arvind Kejriwal, a prominent Indian political figure, and Anna Hazare, the activist who spearheaded the Jan Lokpal movement, is a subject of much discussion and analysis. In this article, we’ll delve into the complexity of their relationship, their political stances, and the consequences of their decision-making.
The Use of Arvind Kejriwal as a Puppet
Many critics believe that Anna Hazare had no intention of allowing Arvind Kejriwal to rise to national prominence. Hazare was known for his extreme jealousy and his desire to control the narrative. It was Hazare who wished to use Kejriwal as a puppet for the Jan Lokpal movement, aiming to achieve political goals without the need for Kejriwal to become a full-fledged political figure.
However, as the movement progressed, Hazare found himself unsatisfied with Kejriwal's ambitions and saw it as a threat to his own dominance in the arena. This led to Hazare discarding Kejriwal after his initial success, marking a significant turning point in their relationship.
Anna Hazare: A Proactive Activist
Anna Hazare, despite his repeated hunger strikes and various fasts unto death on numerous critical issues, remains alive and is yet to achieve his mission. He is often portrayed as a stubborn and obsessive figure who continues to fight for causes, but the success of these endeavors remains elusive. The question arises whether Anna Hazare will embark on another hunger strike on a new issue in the future.
A Political Strategy Shift
When Kejriwal realized that Hazare was not leveraging his influence to serve as a watchdog for the BJP government, he made a strategic move to enter politics himself. Despite Hazare’s initial importance, the stage that Hazare provided was the stepping stone for Kejriwal to take on a more active political role.
Interestingly, during the pre-BJP era, Anna Hazare was considered a political actor aligned with the BJP. The notion is that if it weren’t for Hazare’s influence, the BJP may not have been as effective in overthrowing the ruling Congress party. The impact of his actions is evident in the political landscape of 2010–2014, where Hazare's influence played a crucial role.
A Controversial Split: A Matter of Values and Ideology
The relationship between Hazare and Kejriwal further deteriorated when they faced a significant ideological gap. Hazare believed in the public servant model, where politicians serve the people. However, when Arvind Kejriwal suggested that they needed to engage in dirty politics to ensure reform, Hazare disagreed vehemently. This difference in opinion led to a clear rift between the two public figures.
Interestingly, while Hazare has been vocal against Kejriwal on various occasions, there have been no derogatory comments from Kejriwal towards Hazare. This indicates a significant divide in their political approaches and ideologies. The public often perceives Kejriwal negatively in the context of this split without a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved.
As we conclude, the relationship between Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal is a complex narrative that involves political ambition, strategic shifts, and ideological differences. Their journey is a testament to the volatile and often misunderstood dynamics in Indian politics.