Entered politics to serve the city, not for power: Bedi

Accepting full responsibility for the BJP's crushing defeat in the Delhi assembly elections, the party's chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi Monday said she opted for politics "not for position or power but for serving the city".

In an open letter to the people of India, the former IPS officer said she joined politics because "I wanted to give my city all I still had".

"I entered when I was given the feeling that I could be of value. I wanted to see it gets a stable government in alignment with the government of India to get all that Delhi needed."

"I also wanted to not die one day with a guilt that I was commenting only and never daring to pass the ultimate test of electoral politics," she said.

Bedi mentioned how she served the city "through thick and thin" and that she did it all not for anything but with a sense of service. "I did it all not for any glory. I did it because the service and situations demanded it."

On suffering defeat in Delhi assembly elections, Bedi said she took "full responsibility for it".

"I have failed the test and take full responsibility for my decision. But inside me has not failed. Because given the time I gave to myself I gave it all the energy and experience I had. Obviously, it was not enough," she wrote.

Touching upon reasons why she lost the poll, Bedi said there were many factors involved in it.

"There are several factors which play a vital role. And each one did. I wish to add nothing more," she said, adding that history will keep analyzing it.

She also suggested that politicians and others involved need to rework "the way we campaign".

"The whole city or state comes to a grinding halt. Should it? Roads are in disarray, and work just stops," she observed.

Indian democracy, she says in her letter, needs a civil culture and law-abiding environment if it wants many "well-meaning people" to stake their experience for mature and good governance.

"I wish to thank all those who reposed their trust in me. And say I am sorry I could not measure up to theirs," she said in the letter, adding that she was relieved her parents were not alive to hear the foul words hurled at her.

The former IPS officer also thanked those who called her "with foulest possible names".