3 takeaways from Kejriwal's 'Modi may kill me' video message
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has something unprecedented. In a video message to the aam aadmi, he has categorically said that PM Narendra Modi may "get [me] killed", lending further cause for worry to an already tense climate of political anxiety and one-upmanship.
Kejriwal's most direct attack till date - previously he had dubbed PM Modi a "psychopath and a coward" - can be read in multiple ways, but the moot question is this: is it paranoid delusion or very real fears of an unconventional but spotlight-obsessed politician?
My message for AAP volunteers and common man of Indiahttps://t.co/3T5PuO1TpX via @youtube
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 27, 2016
1. "Cycle of oppression"
Kejriwal's apprehensions find evidence in the string of arrests that have befallen AAP MLAs, 11 and counting at the time of writing this article, over amazingly paltry issues.A number of MLAs have been booked for misbehaving with women, but were let off and are out on bail when the charges couldn't be established.
Is the CM right in saying that Modi and Delhi Police are hell bent on "vanquishing" AAP workers and its legislators?
“I want to tell all the volunteers, MLAs and ministers that this is a very critical period. You think over it, talk to your families. This is going to get worse in the coming days."But is it right to stretch the relatively harsher stance of the Delhi Police towards MLAs and extend it to claim that their very lives are in danger?
Interestingly, Twitter circulated a letter by slain Gujarat BJP leader Haren Pandya's father and connected it with what may befall Kejriwal and company. Was this going too far, or is anything possible in the highly adversarial climate in the national capital?
.@ArvindKejriwal Haren Pandya's Father's statement against Modi pic.twitter.com/HbVhrCLAX8
— Kapil (@kapsology) June 21, 2016
"He (Modi) can go to any extent and may get us killed. He may get me killed as well. Talk to your families and see if you are ready for the ultimate sacrifice. All the MLAs will anyway have to go to jail. If you are ready, then stay with us or if you have weaknesses, then leave," he said.
Just in- another AAP MLA arrested by police. Score update- 12
— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) July 27, 2016
Homework for journalism students. (1). List all actions against AAP leaders by Delhi Police (2). List all Kejriwal charges. Juxtapose????
— Madhavan Narayanan (@madversity) July 27, 2016
Remembered Woody Allen today: 'Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you'
— Rupashree Nanda (@rupashreenanda) July 27, 2016
2. No rhyme or reason but anger“
Modi has lost all sense of proportion and is hell bent on vanquishing the AAP... For me, the biggest reason to worry is the fact that if a country’s PM starts taking decisions in anger then the country will be in danger. Who knows he might be doing the same when it comes to many such decisions."
With these words, Kejriwal has set off a volley of questions and criticisms, which may merit a reasoned engagement. Is this just ramblings of a paranoid man, who's afraid of the Centre, or is this really how Modi sarkar intends to crush his strongest rival in the national imagination?
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| A still from Arvind Kejriwal's video message. |
Is the BJP-ruled Centre hell bent on overriding India's federal structure by toppling democratically elected governments in non-BJP ruled states, poisoning electoral situations in poll-bound, communally-sensitive states and creating legislatives hurdles in way of state governments' functioning?
Is PM Modi angry? If so, why?
“The important question is whether the country is in safe hands or not? Important thing is not the arrests of our MLAs. Is the country in safe hands?”
Kejriwal tells AAP workers to consult family & step back if they fear death because Modiji could get AAP people killed. What a CM Delhi has!
— Kamlesh Singh (@kamleshksingh) July 27, 2016
*Arvind Kejriwal at Sea World**sees a turtle go inside its shell*"You are a COWARD and a PSYCHOPATH"
— Akshar (@AksharPathak) July 27, 2016
Overheard: Kejriwal to chop off his arm and blame Modi for political benefit
— The UnReal Times (@TheUnRealTimes) July 27, 2016
Going by what Kejriwal's tweets and RTs, he should be subjected to dope test.
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) July 27, 2016
It seems Arvind Kejriwal has lost his mind. It has never happened in past when a CM blames PM like this. https://t.co/4wgTrJJfCT
— BJP Delhi (@BJPDelhiState) July 27, 2016
If Kejriwal's mind was a social media platform, Modi would be permanently trending at the top spot.
— Papa CJ (@PapaCJ) July 27, 2016
3. False propaganda
Kejriwal mentioned the income tax raids, flimsy allegations and various other means through which the BJP-led Centre has tried undermining Delhi government.
“You must have seen the attempts to crush the AAP. Ten MLAs have been arrested, IT raid has been conducted on one, and attempts are being made to disqualify 21 MLAs through false allegations of office-of-profit... This is like a cycle of oppression. I was wondering why is this happening. People question as to why I blame Modiji. I want to know who is the mastermind behind the raids by CBI, IT etc. Someone has to be the mastermind behind them. Who is the mastermind?"
He points towards the imprints of PMO and Amit Shah in the disproportionate actions taken against members and bureaucrats of his governement, and increasingly, the draconian manner in which AAP workers have been handled.
“Amit Shah, Modiji, PMO. All of them are together. Shah is doing it on Modiji’s prodding but it is happening from one source.Insiders say that Modiji is extremely angry with us and he is not thinking logically about it. Because daily arrests make no logic. Especially when all of them get bail within days and they could not prove a thing."
Police couldn't find Nihal ChandPolice couldn't find DayaahankarPolice couldn't find Salman's driverBut boy can they home in on AAP MLAs
— Arvind Jha (@jalajboy) July 27, 2016
Arvind Kejriwal may be channeling his inner paranoia for some good old propaganda, but where there's smoke, can the fire be very far behind?
“He is not using his brain while dealing with us. Few people say he has been unable to digest the good work in Delhi, others say the defeat in Delhi, while the rest say it is due to the support we are getting in Punjab, Goa and Gujarat,” the Delhi CM said.