Arvind Kejriwal to invite Anna Hazare for his swearing-in ceremony

GHAZIABAD: AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister designate Arvind Kejriwal today said he would personally invite his "guru" Anna Hazare for his swearing-in ceremony at the historic Ramlila Maidan here on Saturday.

"Anna Hazare is my guru and I would personally talk to him on phone to invite him for the swearing-in ceremony," Kejriwal told reporters here.

Asked if he would travel to Delhi for the ceremony, Hazare said in his native Ralegan Siddhi village, "I am not well".

"I can't say right now. I am not well," Hazare said when asked again.

The Gandhian had said two days back that he is yet to receive an invitation for the swearing-in ceremony but would not attend even if he got one owing to ill-health.

Hazare had earlier declined to comment on the Kejriwal-led AAP's decision to form the new government in Delhi, but added he would express his views when his former protege acts on the Lokayukta issue.

Hazare had parted ways with Kejriwal following his decision to form a political party.

The relations between the Gandhian and the AAP convener had hit a new low when he recently ordered a frontline leader of Kejriwal's party Gopal Rai to leave his fast venue and village after he engaged in a spat with former Army chief General V K Singh. Singh had slammed Kejriwal and others for having deserted Hazare and formed a political party.

The AAP had immediately recalled Rai from Hazare's fast venue.