Page 25 - Tehelka Issue 13 - July 15, 2018

national level. Another expert feels that
the four regional CMs, who have carved
out a distinct identity on this very po-
litical spin, have eagerly joined forces
to preserve their options in creating a
national alternative in the next general
election. But in the end, that will give
no joy to Kejriwal for their end game is
to enhance only their relevance. AAP
will have to replace its urge for street
activism with creativity and vision to
pull itself out of this quagmire.

Way forward
The sigh of relief being heaved by Delhi
in the aftermath of calling of the nine-
• Power tussle The AAP government in Delhi is against the LG of Delhi, entered the sev- day sit-in by Kejriwal is only temporary
not getting enough cooperation from the Centre enth day, the four sitting chief ministers because the legislative or constitutional
- West Bengal chief minister Mamata issues remain unresolved. While stat-
Banerjee, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, ing that the confrontation between
chief secretary. Andhra CM N Chandrababu Naidu and Kejriwal and the Centre might only
Conceding that with the exception Karnataka chief minister HD Kumar- worsen in the months ahead, some
of concession in electricity, free water aswamy, who were not allowed to see critics point out that it is premature to
supply and some improvement in Kejriwal, addressed a press conference judge whether Kejriwal’s fight, backed
school infrastructure, some experts at Kejriwal’s residence, wherein they by the Opposition, will help him retain
point out that the AAP government has slammed the Central government power in Delhi.
very little to show as its achievements for “restricting the federal system”, Another critic has opined that in the
in the capital. On non-performance on terming it a threat to the nation. They aftermath of the opposition alliance
initiatives like door-to-door delivery of also asserted that their support for the post-the Karnataka polls and with no
services and installation of CCTVs, the AAP was about “saving the democratic hardcore caste or religion voter base to
AAP argues that these initiatives could system of the country”. As per media call his own, Kejriwal was feeling iso-
not see the light of the day due to the reports, the former chief minister of lated and in the backdrop of his nine-
delay by the LG’s office. Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav and CPI day long sit-in at the LG house, he could
Some close observers of Delhi (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury play the victim card and garner public
politics point out that AAP has learned have also endorsed the position taken sympathy. Such a move could exert
the trick of creating occasional admin- by Kejriwal. pressure on the Congress and other
istrative “deadlock” to distract public Expression of solidarity with Kejri- regional parties to include the AAP in
attention from a governance failure wal by four sitting CMs of four non-BJP their alliance, and also help in effective
at multiple levels. These observers are ruled states is being seen by some crit- bargaining during seat-sharing talks.
also critical of AAP leaders’ ineptness ics as opening up of a new front by the With the 2019 election year at hand,
at governance, no knowledge of the Opposition against the Modi govern- Kejriwal knows the political survival
“grammar of governance” and the ment. However, it is interesting to note of the AAP hinges on getting public
constitutional provisions. It is further that these CMs had come to Delhi to support and playing the victim card.
added that the AAP government has attend meeting of the NITI Aayog and The recurring incidents of dharnas
little to show by way of any tangible did not specifically came for Kejriwal and sit-ins in the national capital and
outcome, even where there was no rather they practiced the proverbial ad- confrontational politics between the
interference by the LG. While asserting age of “Make hay while the sun shines.” Union Government and the elected
that AAP wants the “deadlock”to con- While pointing that in the aftermath government of Delhi don’t bode well
tinue, one critic has opined that AAP is of the Bengaluru display of Opposition for federal set-up. Delhi deserves full
desirous of exploiting this crisis to gain unity at the Kumaraswamy’s swearing- statehood and efforts for finding a vi-
entry into an anti-BJP alliance. in, one expert has opined that the four able constitutional solution to this issue
non-BJP CMs arrival in Delhi to back would be in the interest of cooperative
Chimera of opposition unity their beleaguered colleague and AAP federalism.
On June 17, when the sit-in protest by chief is a measure of their collective
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal determination to take on the BJP at letters@tehelka.com

tehelka / 15 july 2018 25 www.tehelka.com

24-25 Column Anil Singh.indd 3 03/07/18 3:46 PM