How BJP made a martyr out of Alka Lamba
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), ruling at the centre, does not lose an opportunity to target Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, but the latter is aggressively preparing for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Punjab Assembly elections due in 2017. The BJP's attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Chandni Chowk Alka Lamba is the latest example of how the BJP is scoring a self-goal and helping Kejriwal in the process.
The BJP has been ruling the municipal body since 2007, having won two consecutive elections. The AAP considers this as a major stumbling block in its plan to rule Delhi with a free hand. Winning the 2017 MCD elections will also help it win a second consecutive term in the next Delhi Assembly elections. Similarly, in Punjab, where BJP-Akali Dal is facing a major anti-incumbency, the AAP sees a bright chance of winning the next Assembly elections, having won four of the 13 Lok Sabha seats in the 2014 general election. It is here that the BJP seems to be losing the plot.
Parts of Delhi and Punjab are seriously affected by the drug menace and women are the worst sufferers. In a strategic move, Lamba launched the anti-drug drive on August 9, - the day the Quit India Movement was launched - from Yamuna Bazar in the Kashmere Gate locality of old Delhi, which is one of the worst drug-affected areas, to Punjab. Her drive is scheduled to end on August 15, on the country's 69th Independence Day.
The drive was high on symbolism - a woman leader launching a fight against drug menace, linking it to important anniversaries and worst-affected places. She suffered head injuries after a stone was hurled at her from a shop, which is said to be owned by someone close to one of the three BJP MLAs - OP Sharma.
While Lamba cried foul and played victim to garner sympathy, Sharma, BJP supporters and even the Delhi Police handed it over to her on a platter. Sharma cast serious aspersions on her, calling her a drug addict and comparing her with erstwhile dacoit Phoolan Devi.
Sharma is already in trouble now and some more trouble lies in store for him in future. His statement is being dubbed as sexist and anti-woman. He is sure to lose the support of the womenfolk. On top of it, Lamba has filed a petition against him in the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), which has former AAP functionary Swati Maliwal as its head.
The BJP supporters lashed out at Lamba on social media accusing her of indulging in melodrama and theatrics. Some went to the extent of alleging that Lamba never got hurt and that the whole scene was made up. However, her supporters have fought back and highlighted Lamba's blood-soaked handkerchief and her face from which blood was dripping just after the attack.
On the basis of a 30-minute video clip which emerged on August 10 showing Lamba entering a shop and toppling a billing machine, the Delhi Police registered a case of trespass and damage to the shop against Lamba. The AAP hit back at Delhi police commissioner BS Bassi dubbing him a "senior BJP leader". Lamba, on her part, countered the police's charge saying the video footage pertains to activities after she was hit by the stone. In a series of tweets, she sought to take a moral high ground and admitted that she acted in a fit of rage and that she should have learnt from Kejriwal and maintained composure even during adversity. She also sought to play a martyr by saying she was ready to go to jail if she had done something wrong.
The BJP may be busy making allegations and trying to corner Lamba, but the AAP seems to have already scored over it by turning the tables on it.