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How targeting Arun Jaitley is a political masterstroke by AAP

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Apoorva Pathak
Apoorva PathakDec 30, 2015 | 14:45

How targeting Arun Jaitley is a political masterstroke by AAP

The whispers about rampant corruption in Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) had long existed before Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal put the messy affairs of DDCA in the spotlight.

When Kejriwal initially spoke about the DDCA issue, it was believed to be diversionary tactics to save his favourite officer, Rajendra Kumar. But a fortnight hence, Kejriwal has not stopped harping on the DDCA scam and Jaitley's role in it, even braving a criminal defamation case to do so.

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Kejriwal, to the surprise of many, has succeeded in keeping the nation's attention fixed on Jaitley's sins of omission and commission when he was at helm of DDCA. Just yesterday in an NDTV interview, Kejriwal added sex scandal to the list of allegations. This is a political masterstroke by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for reasons discussed below which also provide us a good glimpse into the politics of AAP.

Tarnishes Image of Modi government

Modi government, bruised by subsequent electoral drubbing, is vulnerable now to attacks from the opposition. There is palpable disappointment with the underdelivery, especially, on the economic front. At such a stage, the last thing the government would have wanted was to have the integrity of its top minister being called into question. Also, with the Union Budget only 2 months away, dispensing with the finance minister at this stage is unlikely.

Targeting Jaitley allows Kejriwal to tarnish Modi government (for whom he has no love lost) as being protective of corrupts with not much the government can do to cut its losses. And as Kejriwal's considers Modi government his biggest adversary, it suits the AAP's interests if their rival is weak.

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Weakens Modi government's media link

When Modi needs a media-manager like Jaitley in the face of growing ramblings on various issues, Kejriwal has hit the government's media link. Most mediapersons would tell you that Jaitley is the go-to man for them, the "top source" many articles often refer to.

In targeting Jaitley, Kejriwal has also targeted this cosy relationship. This creates unease and distrust in media's interaction with the finance minister, further reducing government's ability to manage its perception.

Positions AAP as Modi's leading rival

With the Congress posing no major challenge in the near future and the BJP becoming the central axis of Indian politics, there is a space for a formidable opposition in the Indian political landscape. The AAP has realised this and is capitalising on this space. The more it is able to emerge as the real challenger to Modi and BJP, the more it will grow.

So, there is a method to the madness of this constant tussle with Modi and his central government. It allows AAP to gain sympathy from anti-Modi voters and also paves way for its future expansion into rest of india. In this perspective, targetting Jaitley makes perfect sense as it puts AAP into the centre-stage as the leading rival of Modi government.

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Just see how despite winning a larger state like Bihar, Nitish Kumar has again disappered from the national narrative. In contrast, Kejriwal's AAP has managed to keep itself in the news either through this battle or through the odd-even policy.

Strengthen Kejriwal's image of a giant-slayer and anti-corruption crusader

In his trademark style, by targeting a giant like Jaitley - who nobody had dared to question before this - Kejriwal is further playing to the galaxy of his supporters, who love him for this very reason.

By occasionally targeting the high and mighty, Kejriwal is able to maintain the image of being an outsider, when he, infact, is a part of the system. The public enjoys the spectacle of a powerful man being dragged down and Kejriwal provides them this show.

Exposing the corruption of high and mighty is also a powerful way for Kejriwal to reiterate his own credentials as an anti-corruption crusader. Kejriwal has mastered this art to perfection and it is again on display in how he is playing his cards in the DDCA affair.

The last word on the DDCA row is yet to be spoken but Kejriwal has already managed to milk it fully for his own political use. This gives us a glimpse into the astute underestimated politician that he is.

It is this political acumen that has made him rise from an activist from a middle class background to being one of India's leading politician. And once again in the DDCA affair, Kejriwal has managed to beat the traditional rivals at their own game.

Last updated: December 31, 2015 | 14:23
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