New Delhi, Nov 19 (IANS): Aam Admi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal said Tuesday that the funds collected during the India Against corruption (IAC) movement were not used for election-related purposes and that Anna Hazare had repeatedly been told this.
"Audit has been conducted on the funds received during the IAC movement several times. I am open to probe and scrutiny, but it should now happen in front of the public," Kejriwal told a TV news channel.
"Anna Hazare was aware of the way in which funds were used. We had told Anna many times about it."
The reply from the AAP leader came after the social activist Anna Hazare wrote a letter seeking clarification on the funds collected with the sale of SIM card during the movement.
"If I am found guilty of misusing the fund, then I will not contest elections," he added.
Earlier, Hazare had said: "I was told that SIM cards were issued in my name during the India Against Corruption (IAC) movement, the sale of which led to collection of funds. I have no connection in this regard.
"Since I felt my name was being misused, so I wrote the letter seeking a clarification. I have no interest in the money, just my name should not be misused."
Hazare also said he would not engage in the poll campaign for any party and also questioned Kejriwal's claim that he would pass the Jan Lokpal Bill at Ramlila Maidan here Dec 29, arguing that such bills can be passed only in parliament.
Kejriwal, however, said," We will pass the bill like the state of Uttarakhand passed the Lokayukta bill."