New Delhi:
Despite strong demands from his supporters, Anna Hazare has rejected activist Arvind Kejriwal's offer to return money collected during the anti-corruption agitations.
During a meeting in Delhi, soon after the split in Team Anna was officially announced, the 75-year-old Gandhian activist was urged by volunteers to ask Kejriwal-led Public Cause Research Foundation to return the money. But sources said, despite Mr Kejriwal's offer Mr Hazare told them that he had already refused to take it.
The volunteers were of the view that they would need money to organise the movement. But Mr Hazare felt that they have to build a new movement and the issue of money should not be a point of fight, they said.
The activist parted ways with Kejriwal-led group India Against Corruption on September 19 over the issue of the anti-corruption movement taking a plunge into politics. The discussion on the issue came up at a meeting, which was also attended by Kiran Bedi, held at Maharashtra Sadan the next day.
Mr Kejriwal had offered a cheque more than once to Mr Hazare after differences erupted over the issue of forming a political party, the sources said. Mr Kejriwal went to Ralegan Siddhi and offered a cheque but Mr Hazare refused to take it.
Sources said Mr Hazare was of the view that they should try to get a copy of the volunteer's list. "They can give us a copy and keep one with them. What is the harm in it?" Mr Hazare was quoted as saying.
India Against Corruption led by Arvind Kejriwal refused to comment on the issue.