...Because Mr. K is an Honorable man

I could not help but see a parallel between the behaviour of the Romans during Caesar and us Indians during the recent developments that were supposed to change the face of politics. Romans were fickle and so are we. We blindly trusted what this new party (AAP) promised without logically questioning the promises. Thanks to the 15 year ‘rule’ of the Congress, we were ready to accept anyone but the congress. But, despite getting just 8 seats, the Congress did manage to form the government. Did they not? See beyond the veil and you will know.

Here are a few observations cum solutions for the Chief Protestor of Delhi.

1. A party of U turns, yet Mr. K is an honorable man

When Mr. K left Anna Hazare, he did so under the pretext that the days for protests were over and now it is time for action. He has gone back on these words and again sat on dharna against the policemen who did not follow the orders of his minister, inconveniencing a lot many Delhiites. He asked people not to join him in these protests, but just a day into the dharna, he made another turn and asked everyone to pour in and threaten to flood Rajpath with lakhs of supporters. While this incident is recent, there is a history to it.

If you recall, Mr. K had promised to take actions against Sheila Dixit for her alleged role in various scams. He went to the extent of saying that he had the proof against Ms. Dixit (a 370 page report). The moment he came to power, he started dilly dallying and asked BJP instead to furnish him with the proofs. That is a serious breach of trust of the people and there are other such instances.

The most glaring of course remains the fact that despite swearing on his children that he won’t take Congress’s support, he formed the government with them. Clearly ‘Kursi’ triumphed ‘values’. Many AAP supports would say “ we went to the people of Delhi and through SMS responses they asked us to come to power ” . Are you that naïve? You do not know who is voting, Delhi or rest of India, Children below 18 or adults who exercised their rights to vote, Congress supporters who would want that their party still call the shots or genuine people who had an opinion! There is no way of tracking those, yet, you eclipsed yourself behind “AAM Admi” for that decision.

Getting a buy in first from 10 Janpath will be useful before every announcement.

2. Misplaced policies that does not benefit the needy, but, he is an honorable man

The policies that they are trying to implement do not benefit the ones they are placed for. For example in case of the Water subsidy, only people who can afford to pay and do not require any subsidy on water would benefit. The tankers with leaking waters will continue to go to those slums who greatly require the water. There will still be fights on the streets over buckets of water and there will always be the water mafia who would continue to exploit. What they should have done was to work on the supply side – something like a project to clean the Yamuna and then in a certain time period install water meters in all the households of Delhi. Populism won’t benefit the poor, it benefits just AAP.

Then comes the Power subsidy– announcement of reduction of power tariff by 50% (though Mr. K subsequently suggested that it is only under consideration) was also in conjunction with the CM’s earlier appeal to not pay the power bills. What is has led to is that those who adhered to his suggestions are now being summoned by courts for power thefts. Instead of em-‘powering’ the people, he is taking the steam out of Delhi’s life.

FDI in retail –  No research behind this decision. We do not know why they are opposing FDI in retail. What you should do is to study the cases across the world and then come to a conclusion. Make Delhi a level playing field for our local vendors and then introduce the FDI in retail to foster competition. This will benefit the consumers and also the farmers who will not have to go through middle men.

Law and leader – Mr. Somnath  Bharti can go around calling women prostitutes and people who support the AAP do not even say  a word. Is that the sign of a political party that will work concertedly for the rights and safety of women? Also, what about our relation with foreign nations (read Uganda for the time being)? Are we not compromising our positions thanks to a few rogue leaders! 

3. Arrogance in everything he does, but, he is an honorable man

Mr K and his team have started questioning the integrity of Kiran Bedi, who most of the Delhi admires for her courage and wisdom. Just like a Manishankar Aiyyer’s IQ level, Mr. K’s team’s seems to have hit a new low.  Mr Kumar Vishwas of his party seems to drip in the arrogance of power every time he speaks. If you follow his comments, you would understand his views on women. I will refrain myself from detailing. Mr. Somnnath Bharti, the “law” minister who Mr K feels is a worthy soldier in this “fight against corruption” talks about spitting on Arun Jaitley and Harish Salve. Reason  - Because their opinions differ from those of Mr. Bharti. News anchor turned politician Ashutosh (for whom it can safely be said that he was furthering the cause of AAP as an anchor for IBN 7 , an act totally against the ethics of journalism and also a ramification of the paid news nexus) appeals that “Kiran Bedi should be taught a lesson”. That was because Kiran Bedi had read to him from Roget’s dictionary the meaning of “anarchy”. Mr K himself has gone on abusing the police to such an extent that the people of Delhi are actually beginning to feel sympathetic towards the police. What will that do to police morale? You , as the chief minister do not talk about the Police reforms and instead keep on badgering the police on any opportune moment. Remember, at the end of the day, while you were busy getting clicked sleeping in the cold, there were a lot many policemen and police women who woke up the entire night to provide you security. Quickly adding that more would have been spent on your security in these days thanks to your unruly ways that would have otherwise.

On the integrity of Mr. K himself, I will share an excerpt from an article that I read in the Hindu. (Courtesy: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/understanding-arvind-kejriwal/article5590889.ece) ..

“While serving as a Joint Commissioner in the Revenue Department (Income Tax) under the Finance Ministry, he went on a sabbatical (paid leave) from November 1, 2000 to October 31, 2002, and went abroad. One condition for such leave is that the employee must serve continuously for at least three years after return, failing which he or she must pay back the salary he drew over two years with penalty.

There is a bond to be executed, with witnesses and guarantors. Mr. Kejriwal re-joined duty on November 1, 2002 but at once went on 18 months’ leave without pay: he did not serve continuously. He resigned in February 2006. As he had jumped bond, his resignation was not accepted.

The Income Tax Department sent him a notice in 2007 and again in 2008 asking him to pay up. Mr. Kejriwal, who was by then appearing on TV almost every day, expected the government to budge. He said the government could deduct the dues from his retirement benefits; as he had done no wrong, his dues must be waived. After sending a notice on August 5, the department sent another in September asking him to pay up before October 27, 2011 — failing which he would not be relieved and he would not get his retirement benefits.

Attachment of his property and criminal action could follow. Mr. Kejriwal termed it an attempt to create obstacles to his agitation against corruption. When he did not respond by October 27, the department asked his guarantors to pay. Mr. Kejriwal pleaded his friends should not be disturbed. When it became clear the government would initiate proceedings, he announced on October 30, 2011 that he would borrow from his friends and pay the dues of Rs.9.28 lakh. He wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on November 3, 2011 enclosing the cheque.”

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Concluding remarks

When we were promised corruption free Delhi, we envisioned a government machinery that was above suspicion. That has clearly not been the case. In fact, the CM himself has gone against the oath that he took to preserve the constitution of India and abide by the rule of law.  People say that is has barely been a few days for them in the power. I say, if this is how the first 20 – 25 days look, imagine the chaos that will be created in the 5 years, if they were to complete the term.  Add to that, the attitude of AAP supporters - “I am the most honest man walking around. If you differ from me, you are corrupted by the system”.

The AAP should either get their act together (and I wish them well) or the Grand old party of India should (for a change) relieve us from this ordeal by withdrawing the support from them.

People should know one thing – any vote for AAP is a vote for the Congress in broader picture and one that will lead to a fractured mandate and with it to its evils. They are just another political party with “satta ki lalsa” (lust for the chair) which they proved by declaring their national aspiration without proving themselves in Delhi. Please do not be fooled by a man screeching “I am your messiah” (or one who ostensibly screams “Do not reject paying a bribe but video bana lo”)