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Former Supreme Court Judge N Santosh Hegde voiced profound disappointment with Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after Kejriwal’s arrest in connection with a money-laundering case linked to an excise policy.
Former Supreme Court Judge N Santosh Hegde on March 24 (Sunday) vocalized his profound disappointment with Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi Chief Minister and a prominent figure of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), currently embroiled in an excise policy-related money laundering case. This revelation comes over a decade after both were involved in the influential ‘India Against Corruption’ movement led by Anna Hazare, which aimed to eradicate corruption from the fabric of Indian governance.
Reflecting on the unfolding scenario, Justice (retd) Hegde remarked,
“It clearly shows that when in power, greed overtakes you. I am totally disappointed with Kejriwal. I thought AAP (after it came to power) will uphold administrative fairness which is not there.”
These words underscore the gravity of his disillusionment, particularly poignant given his past association with Kejriwal and shared aspirations for political cleanliness and transparency.
The former Karnataka Lokayukta distanced himself from the political ambitions of the movement once it transitioned into the AAP, citing,
“Special reason for coming out was that politics today is a den of corruption. No political party is free from it.”
He emphasized the initial intent of staying clear of politics to cleanse it from the outside, a vision he believes has been tainted by the AAP’s current tribulations.
In his conversation with the Press Trust of India, Hegde shared personal anecdotes, including Kejriwal’s attempt to bring him into the AAP fold, an invitation he declined. This personal testimony sheds light on his steadfast belief that politics, by its current nature, cannot be purged of corruption from within.
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Addressing the broader landscape of Indian politics, Mr. Hegde also commented on the opposition’s criticism of the BJP-led NDA government’s alleged selective use of Central agencies like the ED and CBI to target political adversaries. Hegde provided a nuanced take, suggesting that while actions may appear selective, they contribute to a form of justice, albeit partial.
“At least 50 per cent justice is being done now,”
he stated, acknowledging the cyclical nature of political retribution and justice in India’s political theatre.
With the impending Lok Sabha elections, Hegde appealed to the electorate’s sense of responsibility, urging every eligible voter to participate actively and thoughtfully. He advocated for a decision-making process free from caste or any other affiliations, focusing instead on the quality of the candidates. For those disillusioned with the available choices, Hegde recommended using the NOTA (None of the Above) option, emphasizing its potential to send a strong message to the political parties about the electorate’s dissatisfaction and demand for better representation.
In a landscape often mired by controversy and disillusionment, Hegde’s words resonate as a call to action for integrity, discernment, and active citizenship in the face of political adversity.
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