Indian politics is going through some really
interesting times. Not only has the public shown more enthusiasm in coming out
and voting, they are even showing a keen interest in what follows. And the
credit for this rests entirely on the shoulder of three men - Rahul Gandhi,
Arvind Kejriwal and Narendra Modi.
Each has contributed to this excitement in some way or
the other but as of now; the man who is garnering most attention is Arvind
Kejriwal, the leader of AAP (aam aadmi party). Ever since faring decently well
in Delhi state elections (28 out of 70 is decent and in no way a victory as he
would like us to believe, victory is when you win majority or form government),
Arvind Kejriwal and co. are making a lot of news and it must be duly noted that
their arrival has forced old parties like BJP and congress to take voters more
seriously. Such was the impact of AAP’s performance that BJP had to decline the
invite to form government in spite of being only 4 short of requisite number of
36. It is sad though that instead of welcoming this change in politics, the
underdogs have mocked it.
Anyway coming back to the topic of Delhi, now that BJP
had declined then as per rulebooks the onus was on AAP to stake claim for
forming government being the 2nd biggest party in Delhi assembly.
And justifying his ideology Arvind Kejriwal kept on stating over and over that
they are ready for re-election. On the other hand the ultimate opportunist,
Indian National Congress offered unconditional support to AAP, laying a trap
for them to fall in. Now a sensible approach would have been to say no in clear
terms and start gearing for new elections, but how can we be sensible riding on
this wave of euphoria, right?
So today AAP posted a letter to both BJP and congress,
enumerating 18 points on which they must state their stand meanwhile asking for
10 days to decide on govt. formation. The question that begs to be asked is
what is the purpose of creating this tamasha? Many argued that this is to “expose”
BJP and congress alike but if you read the 18 issues raised by AAP, you will realize
how lame they are except a few. And how most don’t even need a legislation or
support of majority in the house.
(The credit for these rebuttals goes to Dr.Aditya Bharadwaj, my friend and one of the few saner voices on twitter. He goes by the name of @Adityadoc)
Point by point answer to all
the questions of Shri Arvind Kejriwal.
1. No Red lights for MLA,
Minister and officials
A: Already done by Supreme Court decision, it is for
government to implement it in their state. Form a government and implement it.
You don’t need legislative majority for it.
2. Jan Lokpal Bill
A: JAN LOK PAL bill will be passed by centre not state. States
can only pass lokayukta bill. For which both bjp and congress have given their
support.
3. Funds for local street
development committee
A: Purely an executive decision, no need of support by
any other party. You don’t need legislative majority for it.
4. Statehood for Delhi
A: Arvind is an IRS officer (?). He knows constitution
very well. This matter falls in centre list and not state list. Some time back
mayawati passed a resolution to divide UP in four parts, but did that mean anything?
No. a pure gimmick.
5. Audit of power companies
finances
A: Yes, do it. Who’s stopping you? No need of support
from any party. You don’t need legislative majority for it.
6. Audit of electricity metres
A: Same again, no need of a new law. Just do it. You don’t
need legislative majority for it.
7. Water issue- clean and free
700 litres. Issue of water wastage.
A: BJP and CONGRESS have already supported this cause.
Form a government, improve monitoring of water pipelines. Accelerate laying of
new ones.
8. Regularize colony.
A: No need of legislation. Also, legalizing unauthorised
colonies is a signal to builder mafia that they can get away by building
sub-standard illegal colonies. Instead impose fine on the builders of these
colonies, order them to correct the flaws in construction. Once they comply, and
then only legalize them.
9. Houses for slums
A: Make houses under indira aawas yojna and distribute. Who
needs a law? Mayawati build some in Lucknow.
10. Permanent jobs for
contractual govt employee
A: Needs to be discussed and support of congress needed.
11. Liberalization of VAT for
traders
A: Instead of this, GST (goods and services tax) needs to
be implemented.
12. Discussion on FDI in Delhi
A: congress supports FDI, BJP opposes it. Can be
discussed. Even AAP promised to tackle this issue by referendum in Delhi.
Why sudden change of heart?
13. Ban Donations for Private
School Admissions
A: Donations are already banned for admission. Just need
strict implementation of the existing law.
14. Facilities for Villages in
Delhi
A: Everyone needs it, and supports it. No need of
legislation.
15. More Govt Hospital
A: Way to go!! But opening new hospitals needs no
support. Right?
16. Fast track courts for
atrocities against women (3-6 months period)
A: Already a provision in law. Just implement it.
17. Corruption in judiciary
A: Are you kidding me? What has a state govt. to do in
this matter?
18. BJP support to purge
corruption in MCD
A: Once you
bring janlokpal, you can tackle it as well.
If you read the letter that is being touted as a
master-stroke by ignorant supporters, you realise how lame it is. Ideally the
response of AAP should have been something like this.
AAP- Will you support our version of Lokpal?
If yes-
I, Arvind Kejriwal take oath as CM of Delhi.
If no-
Re-election!
Question must be asked as to why is AAP core team now
behaving so?
These are interesting times indeed, and I really wish AAP
to do its best. They have forced the giants to consider honest politics as a
threat and to mend their ways. But for AAP to maintain its own high ground, it
is must that we learn to question them even though we may be supporting them.
It is pertinent that we do it because the day we stop asking questions is the
day they stop caring for their morality.
A word of advice:-
AAP has caught the imagination of the people in every
nook and corner of the nation. They did it by channelizing the anger of public
against the rotting system. And public anger is like fire. You can use it to
burn opponents, but play too long with it, and all it takes is a spark to spill
on to your own clothing.
- Dr Aditya Bharadwaj and Dr Archit Srivastava
