Delhi polls: Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi opportunists of first order, says Congress

NEW DELHI: Congress today labelled AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, who has recently joined BJP, as "opportunists of the first order", seeking to paint the parties in a poor light to regain lost ground in poll-bound Delhi.

"Our fight is against the opportunism exemplified by Kejriwal and Bedi, both of whom had declared that they would never enter politics but used the anti-corruption movement for the sake of power," AICC General Secretary Ajay Maken told reporters.

Maken, who is the Congress's campaign chief for Delhi polls, alleged that both Kejriwal and Bedi furthered their political ambitions behind the back of Anna Hazare, who spearheaded the anti-corruption movement.

"There is no difference between the two and they are just two sides of the same coin," Maken said, insisting that the Congress which had got just eight out of the 70 seats in the last Assembly polls, was in "real fight to gain power".

Maken released an affidavit given by Kejriwal, along with all other AAP candidates, on June 7, 2013, in which he had sworn not to use red beacon, not to take unnecessary security, nor go in for big bungalow and to live in an ordinary house like the common man.

The Congress leader claimed that after becoming chief minister, Kejriwal went back on his words and availed all facilities that go with pelf and power.

He said the Congress will bring out next week a booklet to expose Kejriwal and his party, which will project him as "a leader specialising in U-turns" and whose 49-day rule saw "a tale of miseries for the people of Delhi".

Stating that Kejriwal had vowed not to enter politics while Bedi had often been critical of BJP and Modi, Maken wondered as to how could people trust such "opportunists".

Replying to a query, Maken downplayed the controversial remarks of party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi that Bedi, who used to dream of becoming the Delhi Police Commissioner, has now started dreaming about being the chief minister. "Everyone has the right to aspire," Maken said.

The Congress leader said that the "import" of outsiders like Bedi and Shazia Ilmi in BJP showed that the party has become "nervous" over its prospects.