Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party over an advertisement that implies that anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare is dead.
The ad, which is part of the BJP campaign ahead of the Delhi polls, mocks Kejriwal for taking support of the Congress to form a government in December, 2013. Implying that the former Delhi chief minister violated the principles of Hazare, his mentor at one time, the ad carries a garlanded portrait of the Gandhian.
Kejriwal demanded that the BJP should apologise for “killing Anna” in the ad.
“Nathuram Godse killed Gandhiji on this day in 1948. BJP has killed Anna in its ad today. Shudn't BJP apologise,” asked Kejriwal in a tweet. “I will always pray for well being and good health of Annaji,” he added.
In a message to AAP volunteers, he tweeted, “Evil forces will try to divert ur attention. But pl stay focussed on positive agenda for Delhi.”
Stating that the ad goes against the Election Commission guidelines, the party also demanded the intervention of the poll body.
“On the day the Mahatma was assassinated, they have killed the second Gandhi which reflects their narrow mentality. The ad is not only in poor taste it also goes against EC guidelines. The EC should take note and act appropriately,” senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh said.
The party also demanded a public apology from BJP.
“The ad has stemmed out of their frustration and despondency. If they have an iota of shame left they should publicly apologise for indulging in such negative campaigning,” Singh said.
Taking on Kejriwal, the BJP will ask five questions every day till February 5, the last day of electioneering, aimed at exposing his "lies" in the run up to Delhi assembly polls.
Delhi will go to polls on February 7 and the votes will be counted on February 10.
-- With inputs from PTI
