Who defeated Arvind
Kejriwal? Himself or us?
His party ruled for just
49 days. They were momentous days. He implemented his promise on setting up a
number for reporting corruption; in two weeks instead of the promised two
days. He met people to discuss
corruption issues, though the crowd was beyond his control. He did what he could. He would have done more if he could.
He put an end to the VVIP
culture in politics. The politician became
aam aadmi. Ministers started travelling
in vehicles without the screaming red lights and horrifying screeches. But the police had to go out of their way to
provide protection to the chief minister.
Who defeated the chief minister’s vision that political leaders need no
such protection from their own people?
He revolutionised the
admission procedures in schools. Schools
which charged hefty amounts from parents illegally stood to lose. The aam aadmi would have gained. Then who defeated AAP?
AAP appointed people who
visited the government schools in Delhi to ensure that they are functioning
properly. Procedures were undertaken to
end contract labour and thus ensure the welfare of workers. Steps were taken to train a special commando
force for the protection of women in Delhi.
Enquiries were initiated about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Power supply and water supply were being made
more effective and efficient – no doubt there were many teething problems. Harassment of auto rickshaw drivers by the
police was stopped. Government hospitals
were made more effective.
49 days. What more could be achieved in 49 days by a government
with no prior experience? Kejriwal dared
to take up the cudgels against people like Mukesh Ambani who have hijacked the
economic system in the country and people like Veerappa Moily who have sold
democracy to the corporate sector.
We keep on accusing our
politicians of being corrupt. When one
man took the initiative to clean up that corruption and bring good governance,
he failed. Did he defeat himself by
resigning? Maybe he did. Was he helpless? His helplessness is our own. Is he simply a shrewd politician who is
aiming higher – for the PM’s chair?
Well, I will vote for him in the Lok Sabha elections too.
My likes and dislikes are
instinctive initially. I began to like
Kejriwal instinctively just as I disliked Anna Hazare instinctively and hated
Modi instinctively. But I don’t let my
instincts dictate terms to me. I
evaluate my instincts with my reason. So
far my reason has told me that my instincts were generally right.
My instincts tell me that
Modi will only work for the corporate sector and use one particular religious
community for furthering his ends. Modi
will engender a civil war in the country if he becomes its Prime Minister, my
instincts predict. My instincts tell me
that the Congress has become impotent.
My instincts tell me that we need a leader who is a bit cranky.
The balanced view on AAP episode, without bias, I ever read. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBalanced, you say, Remi? I thought I was a passionate supporter of AAP :)
DeleteSorry but for me Kejriwal is not what your instincts say. He fooled us, if he was serious he can discuss the bill, he should be in power it was we the Janta who given him opportunity and what was that drama that before taking oath he asked public but after becoming CM he has not asked anyone. BJP or congress who were not supporting Lokpal in Delhi, They have passed the bill in national parliament i believe..?
ReplyDeleteChhod do kahna ab AAP AAP shuru karo kahna AapNahiHum.. Aur Haan those who blames modi for genocide should know the fact that from last 12 years there nothing like muzaffarnagar, assam, patna, pune, dilsukhnagar, bangalore.
Broom supporters start supporting nation not the glamour, sensation and castle is air.
You are welcome to disagree, Sunny. We live in a democracy, thankfully, which I hope won't turn fascist...
DeleteI agree completly with your observations on AAP.
ReplyDeleteGlad to find a partner, Rajeev. :)
Delete"My instincts tell me that Modi will only work for the corporate sector and use one particular religious community for furthering his ends. Modi will engender a civil war in the country if he becomes its Prime Minister, my instincts predict. My instincts tell me that the Congress has become impotent. My instincts tell me that we need a leader who is a bit cranky."
ReplyDeleteThis is the truth that you have written that is scaring me...What is going to be the future of India?
We need a change, Elizabeth. A drastic change. See what the existing political parties have done wherever they have been in power. Do we want a repetition of it again?
DeleteIt's our choice. Democracy has given us the power to vote - the only real power we have in this regard. We can use it wisely.
Thanks. I started to wonder whether AAP really did anything except what we saw on mainstream media. You have put their work in detail. They need to be given a chance to make mistakes and achieve their agenda. Next few months are interesting. time for political watchers.
ReplyDeletePattu, I have wondered again and again why the media and even the public turned against AAP. Yes, the party showed a lot of immaturity. But they were just beginning.
DeleteThanks for the tolerance you show towards their lack of experience.
Kejariwal playing to the gallery. If he is sincere passing the bill, a) he could have challenged the center intervention in the court b) he should have taken sms poll which he did before becoming the CM.
ReplyDeleteHe was taking centers permission to table "Jan Lokpal Bill" in the parliament. But he did take permission of center to table "Money Bill" in the parliament. Can anybody explain the double standards.
Everyone looks for his own gain. Before coming to power, he claimed of having evidence Sheila Dixit and didn't even file a FIR against her.
No doubt, Rajesh, everyone plays certain games and is selfish too. I don't expect saints to enter politics. It's a question of who is a lesser evil rather than who is a better person? We don't have much choice. But I'm encouraged by the entry of people like Medha Patkar and Sara Joseph in AAP.
Deletewhyyyyyy/?
ReplyDeleteWhy what, Mi-liee?
DeleteWhile I agree with you, my concern about the AAP is that they will go the route of nationalization of power generation and supply, a model that has not served us well. I also think they are against FDI when we do need the money to spur growth. One thing all need to understand is that the economy needs to create jobs. The rest I think will follow.
ReplyDeleteSometimes nationalisation is required, as they did in the Latin American countries where private firms were looting the country's resources (which is happening in India now). Economics is not a static thing, I suppose. It changes as time changes and policies change. Present day capitalism does stand in need of a few reins.
DeleteAK could have gone a bit slower, in his hurry he did do lot of good things but got caught in a situation where he had to give up.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
I agree with you. AK was a bit too quick. Some actions need more duration - even people don't like quick changes.
DeleteInteresting comments! I enjoyed each one of them!!
ReplyDeleteIndia is beyond the grasp of any person or party - political or other, not even a government. The People have realized this fact beyond doubt. As a result there have been hung parliaments and assemblies; hence parties run to form alliances. But politicians don't learn the lesson.
Remi, India is an enigma. We made constitutional rules to eradicate the caste system, but my beloved ex-chief minister (AK) supported the Khap Panchayat in Haryana. We eulogise children's rights, but thousands of children still work or beg... All these people who support development are seeking their OWN development.
Delete"Well, I will vote for him in the Lok Sabha elections too."-----He won you over...mission accomplished for him.
ReplyDeletePS: I don't prescribe to your views. Somehow I find him full of drama and theatrics. Anyway, time will tell how true your instincts were :)
I also find him a bit cranky, Pankti. But I find cranky people doing less evil than the supposedly sane ones.
DeleteMatheikal, AAP style of politics ( i.e we alone are honest and patriotic) scares me. This kind of negative politics can only bring untold misery. Idealism has no place in politics of governance and best is the enemy of the good.
ReplyDeleteAK was I suppose over enthusiastic. In our country were deep rooted habits are the root cause of much problems, one has to be matured and diplomatic in solving them. I had always felt that AAP should have opted to be a strong opposition party in Delhi instead of deciding to rule for the sake of long term benefit.
ReplyDeleteRead AAP and I. I may agree to what you say. But there is an old saying - A Bird in Hand is worth Two in the Bush. Arvind should have continued as the CM of Delhi (like Narendra Modi is doing) and promoted AAP by carefully selecting candidates, policies, making strong but sensible comments. But by his over ambition or rush to become the PM, AK threw baby with the bath water.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, all that what Arvind has said and is saying are my ideas since 1978 of New Life, New India and New World -- Nav Jivan, Nav Bharat aur Nav Jagat.
Arvind Kejriwal infact messed up the silent, non-violent people's revolution by rushing in where Angels fear to tread. For more details read my 42nd book Dr. Leo's Lens - The Blueprint for a Holistic Development of India and the Special issue of Just-in-Print (March 1 to 15) at http://justinprint.in/drleorebello.html.
My instinct too has not failed me. And my instinct tells me that AAP is washed out, unless Arvind meets me one-to-one for serious planning rather than the road shows. Otherwise, even fine ladies like Medha Patkar and Soni Suri may not win. And what about Irom Sharmila? All political parties, including AAP, have forgotten her.
Keep in touch. Best Wishes.