Kejriwal accuses Government of trying to tarnish Team Anna's image

Ghaziabad, Oct 21 (ANI): Strongly defending fellow campaigner and associate Kiran Bedi over allegations of corruption levelled against her, civil society activist Arvind Kejriwal has accused the central government of trying to tarnish the image of Team Anna to weaken the nationwide movement against corruption.

"See, it is clear that the central government is levelling all these allegations and issues against us. I appeal to the people to be vigilant against such tactics and not get confused," Kejriwal told the media here.

Highlighting Bedi's impeccable credentials in her illustrious police service, Kejriwal dismissed the report, calling it a ploy to divert public attention from the issue of corruption.

"Kiran Bedi has worked for the Indian police all her life. It is common knowledge that even a corrupt constable can earn millions of rupees if he desires. However, no such allegations of corruption have been levelled against Bedi in her entire career in the police force. If she really wanted to earn millions of rupees and indulge in corruption, she could have done so while she was in the police service. Why would she do it now, after retirement, for a few thousand rupees? This is just a ploy to divert the attention of the people from the Ombudsman Bill," Kejriwal said.

Bedi was embroiled in a simmering controversy, following a scathing report published in the Indian Express.

The report alleged Bedi of travelling in economy class and charging non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other institutions that invite her for seminars and discussions, with bills of business class.

Bedi is entitled to a rebate on air tickets as a gallantry awardee that allows her to pay discounted fares, but the report stated that she charged her host institutions with the full fare.

Dismissing the report, Bedi said: "We follow transparent methods of functioning and volunteer to be questioned or audited. Every penny in our work is accounted for and is for the facilitation of causes we espouse."

"We have been very conscientious of trust and responsibility... And hence punctual and meticulous in our systems," she added. (ANI)