Gandhian activist Anna Hazare at an event in Delhi.
Anna Hazare admires the simplicity of a Chief Minister. And it's not
Arvind Kejriwal.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi yesterday, the Gandhian activist said it is West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee who actually practices simplicity in public life.
"I have faith in her (to lead the nation) because she is a Chief Minister but still wears slippers. She did not take a government bungalow. She lives in her father's small house. Her sari is simple, made of khadi. She walks for 8-10 km everyday visiting villages. Such people can improve the nation," the 76-year-old activist said.
"And there are people who said we won't take bungalow or vehicle, then took them," he said in an apparent jibe at his former associate Mr Kejriwal.
Mr Hazare went on to say Ms Banerjee has the potential to change the nation if she is made the Prime Minister. "I sent 17 points to every political party. The points if implemented will change the nation for good. Nobody responded. Only West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sent a reply. We need such people," he said.
Shortly after the Gandhian activist's jibe at Mr Kejriwal, the two met on Saturday night. Aam Aadmi Party leaders described the 20-minute meeting at Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi as a "courtesy call".
Differences between the two chief protagonists of the nationwide anti-corruption movement cropped up after Mr Kejriwal and his team decided to launch the Aam Aadmi Party in 2012. Mr Hazare had opposed the formation of a party, saying the movement should have remained non-political.
Mr Hazare yesterday said he will soon travel across the country "to look for and support candidates with good character" as the nation gears up for Lok Sabha elections, due by May.