How Arvind Kejriwal is supporting corruption
Anti-corruption crusader Arvind Kejriwal, after dabbling with politics, has learnt the tricks of trade. Like the typical Indian politician, he also has forgotten the principles on which he had contested elections and which catapulted him to power. The Congress came to power at the Centre in 2004 and 2009 riding on the slogan of "Congress ka haath, aam aadmi ke saath". The BJP-led NDA rode to power in 1998 and 1999 promising Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, implementation of the uniform civil code and abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution. However, the Congress forgot the "aam aadmi" and overlooked the multicrore financial irregularities of the "khaas aadmis" and the BJP gave up on its promises saying it did not have majority. Even after getting majority in the 2014 Lok Sabha election, the party does not have the upper hand because it does not have a majority in Rajya Sabha.
Similarly, Delhi chief minister owes his ascendency to power to his fight against corruption. But now his cause for corruption seems hollow. He is either seen supporting corruption or is not serious towards his raison d'etre and these are the four ways how:
1. Support to grand alliance in Bihar
The bonhomie between Kejriwal and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is growing. So far it has been at a personal level and they have indulged in mutual appreciation. Nitish has an axe to grind by associating with Kejriwal. He wishes to neutralise bad publicity by forging tie-ups with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad (a convict in the fodder scam) and the Congress (which performed its worst ever in the 2014 general election thanks to several multicrore scams) to form a "maha-gathbandhan" (grand alliance) against the BJP for the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections. He also wants to use Kejriwal's appeal among the youth of the state who stand a chance to get swayed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But what will Kejriwal get by supporting Nitish? By supporting the JD(U), the Delhi chief minister is only supporting Lalu and corruption - directly or indirectly. On Nitish's invitation, he will attend a function on good governance in Patna on August 27. He is also likely to campaign for the JD(U) in the run-up to the Assembly elections. However, he will not join the JD(U)-RJD's combined "Swabhimaan Rally" in Patna on August 30 because he does not want to be seen sharing dais with Lalu. He says his support is only for Nitish and not for Lalu or the Congress. Is it not Kejriwal's double standards? Is the Delhi chief minister not supporting corruption by supporting Nitish whose party has formed a grand alliance with the RJD and Congress?
2. Support to non-BJP, non-Congress front at the national level
The Delhi chief minister has lent his support to a non-BJP, non-Congress front at the national level. Along with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee (TMC), JD(U) president Sharad Yadav and Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, Kejriwal was an invitee to a tea party at NCP chief Sharad Pawar's residence in the capital on August 12. Again, taking a stand which can only be labelled as conflicting, Kejriwal did not attend the meet, apparently because of the presence of Mulayam and Pawar against whom he had launched a vicious attack as the convener of Aam Aadmi Party's previous avatar - India Against Corruption (IAC). For Kejriwal, both of them are corrupt.
3. Support to controversial AAP leaders
Kejriwal has turned a blind eye to the allegations of corruption levelled against his ministers, MLAs and leaders. His internal Lokpal also seems to be defunct. The party has yet to initiate action against former law minister Jitendra Singh Tomar in the fake degree case, against former minister Rakhi Birla for allegedly accepting an SUV as a birthday gift in April or against Kondli MLA Manoj Kumar who was arrested in connection with a cheating and land grabbing case. Far from taking action, the AAP is usually seen defending its errant and corrupt functionaries.
4. Forgetting Jan Lokpal Bill
Along with Anna Hazare and others, Kejriwal had formed the IAC and launched a movement in 2011 to press upon the then UPA government to implement the anti-corruption Bill. Challenged by politicians, he formed the AAP even though Hazare and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi parted ways with him over the issue. After coming to power in December 2013, he attached the utmost importance to the Jan Lokpal Bill by sacrificing his 49-day government on February 14, 2014 for the sake of the Bill. He introduced the Bill and allowed his government to fall. And when the AAP came to power again, in February this year, with an overwhelming majority by winning 67 out of 70 seats, Kejriwal has ditched the Jan Lokpal Bill.