“However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.”
-GEORGE WASHINGTON
This quote is so very much applicable to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. He became the CM of Delhi in 2015 with a landslide victory because people in Delhi, just like anywhere in India, were disgusted with the current politics, and wanted a new kind, with honest leaders who are dedicated to solving the people’s problems. Kejriwal had promised the “15 million citizens of Delhi” that he and his party would try to usher in “alternative politics”, and run a genuine “government of the people”. However it is sad to see that today Kejriwal has stooped so low. The recent ink attack controversy just brought out the hypocrisy of Kejriwal. On one hand he repeatedly said he doesn’t need police protection and that police should be employed for the people and now he is crying foul and saying Delhi police hadn’t provided enough protection to him. This attack was carried out by an ex-AAP member, who is currently a member of Aam Admi Sena but within seconds of the attack Aam Admi Party blamed it on BJP.
If AAP is to be believed this is how BJP general board meeting must be like:
Amit Shah: “Kejriwal is getting to much popularity, something needs to be done. Please give me some ideas”.
Member1: “Lets expose his hypocrisy”
Member2: “Lets remind people of his empty promises”.
Member3: “Lets throw ink on him”
AS: “Great Idea! Lets throw some ink on him. It will surely get us a chunk of people’s votes.”
Does this make sense? Of course it doesn’t.
Now let’s move on to AAP’s general body meeting.
AK: “Guys election are coming up in Punjab we have to win it. What strategy should we follow”.
Member1: “Sir wahi purana, thappad ya ink?
AK: “Thappad nahi, last time bahut bahut jor se maara tha. Ink waala idea he sahi hai. Ek baaju publicity milegi Aur ek baaju public sympathy. Aur attack ka blame BJP aur Delhi police pe daal denge”.
The second scenario clearly makes sense. The only person who gets benefit out of this drama is Kejirwal. Give me one benefit that the BJP will get by throwing ink on him. If you see the “ink attack” video carefully you can observe that the people saw the girl approaching towards Kejriwal. Nobody stops her. The journalists were busy recording the event and AAP volunteers, despite seeing her, didn’t stop her. Even Kejriwal sees her approaching towards him but he doesn’t move from his place! If this doesn’t provide a hint nothing will. What’s more funny is that AAP supporters said that there could be a controversy to “kill” Kejriwal and that “BJP couldn’t stand the success of the ‘great’ Odd-Even plan”. The plan was “surely great”, never thought of by anyone, and it has completely solved Delhi’s pollution problems if AAP is to be believed.
Ink attacks are common in Indian politics but never has any party responded in this manner. The attacks are mainly due to dissent of the people but it’s really sad to see AAP saying it could be a controversy of killing Kejriwal and to see MSM fools providing publicity to Kejriwal. It seems Kejriwal has no solutions to people’s problems so in order to grab headlines he just resorts to stunts and gimmicks. MSM has completely ignored the reason stated by the girl. The girl said that the odd-even rule was positive, but behind it was a big CNG Scam, of which she had a sting and that is why she wanted to meet Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Transport Minister Gopal Rai, but they didn’t agree to meet her. She stated that in the scam, CNG stickers were issued on bike numbers. “They have done scam in CNG and I have evidence to support it,” she claimed. It seems the 526 crores have worked and MSM has completely ignored her allegations and it has given Kejriwal much needed publicity. Also interestingly it has been reported that Kejriwal had asked cops to stay away from the stage. If this doesn’t convince you nothing will. Mr Kejriwal you cannot fool all the people all the time. I sincerely hope that Kejriwal refrains from such dramatics and petty politics in the near future.