Arvind Kejriwal is not my enemy, says Anna Hazare

New Delhi: Activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal said today that he has tried several times to speak to the man he calls his "guru," Gandhian Anna Hazare, but that "intermediaries...people in the middle" don't allow him to.

Mr Kejriwal was once Anna's closest associate, but in an indication that their relationship has hit a new low, the 76-year-old Gandhian has written to Mr Kejriwal asking him to clarify whether the funds they raised during their campaign for a law that creates a Lokpal or national ombudsman have been diverted.  (Read Anna's letter to Kejriwal)

Mr Kejriwal has denied that financial donations to 2011's campaign fronted by Anna Hazare have been spent by his Aam Aadmi Party or AAP on its campaign for the Delhi election and said if any irregularity is found he will not contest the elections to be held on December 4. (Read: Kejriwal's reply to Anna Hazare)

In his Ralegaon village in Maharashtra today, Anna said, "Arvind is not my enemy."

He explained that he feared his name was being misused. "I have always stayed away from lure of money and power...I had asked for Kejriwal for some clarification," he said.

In his letter Anna wrote, "I don't want my name to be used for your campaign.  Fund-raising for your party is something you have to figure out." He also emphasised that money collected during their anti-graft campaign "should not be used for elections."

Mr Kejriwal shared Anna's letter and his reply at a press conference yesterday that was briefly disrupted when a man threw ink at the AAP chief and raised slogans against him. Mr Kejriwal has accused the BJP of setting up the attack. The BJP has however denied that the attacker is affiliated to it. Anna too has said he does not know the man. (BJP distances itself from the man who heckled Arvind Kejriwal)

When Anna Hazare launched his 16-day hunger strike to demand the Lokpal Bill in 2011, Mr Kejriwal was most visible by his side. The strike generated huge public interest and support, but later protests were ineffectual.

In 2012, Anna said he could not support Mr Kejriwal's decision to form a political party and contest elections.