AK Blunders again in Delhi

AAP wants re-elections. Who will bear the cost? The Public! Perhaps AAP should be asked to bear the cost of the re-election they want as it was Kejriwal who abandoned the Government, thus failing to complete a full term despite support from the Congress.

Arvind Kejriwal has once again reminded how poor a strategist he is while excelling at attention grabbing tactics. The Aam Aadmi Party had created a lot of flutter recently about reported LG recommendation to President indicating that he would like to invite the BJP to form Government. AAP’s Kejriwal had rushed to the President to stop LG from doing so. They had also released edited video showing BJP leaders purportedly wooing an AAP MLA. All of that came to naught with status quo prevailing in Delhi and the AAP reduced to a joke, trending petty hashtags on the Prime Minister’s birthday.

In December 2013, Delhi was the only State to throw a hung Assembly (BJP including SAD 32, AAP 28, Congress 8 and Others 2). BJP declined to form Government as it didn’t have the magic number of 36 to form Government. AAP, which fought tooth and nail against Congress, joined hands and formed Government — an unethical move according to many. At that time, AAP argued that it is doing so on the basis of feedback received for public. AAP’s nautanki Government lasted 49 days before Kejriwal ran away from his responsibilities.

The State has been under President’s rule since February. Now AAP is contesting the Lt Governor’s initiative to help Government-formation.

First of all, it is Governor’s right and responsibility to ensure Government is formed in the State. It is a democratic tradition to invite the single largest party to form Government and the BJP is the single largest party. (BJP’s Atal Bihari Vajpayee was invited to form Government in 1996 and lost on the floor of the house within 13 days. Thereafter, Janata Dal and other regional parties supported by Congress and Left from outside formed the Government).

AAP’s contention is that BJP should not be given a chance since they already denied earlier and there has been no change in situation. It is BJP’s right to be invited and it’s prerogative to say yes or no to the Governor’s invite. A lot of things have changed. AAP’s strength has been reduced to 27 after they suspended Binny. The strength of the House has reduced to 67 as three BJP members have been elected to Lok Sabha. There have been desertions in the AAP with even many founding members leaving the party. Congress, after the drubbing in the Lok Sabha poll, can split any time.

AAP wants re-elections. Who will bear the cost? The Public! Perhaps AAP should be asked to bear the cost of the re-election they want as it was Kejriwal who abandoned the Government, thus failing to complete a full term despite support from the Congress. The People of Delhi deserve a Government and there is no guarantee that the next election will offer a clear mandate. Therefore, as a responsible party, the BJP has a duty to explore all avenues of Government-formation.

It is not up to AAP or the media to decide whether BJP has a majority or not. That can be tested only on the floor of the house. It is possible that some MLAs may abstain from voting because they have to face their constituencies at the end of the day. They are answerable to the public before their party. Also, MLAs across party lines fear whether they would be elected again or not. While horse-trading must not be encouraged, if some MLAs willingly putting voters above party switch sides, the BJP can’t be held responsible. BJP should give Government formation a shot as there is nothing to lose. Even if they lose on the floor of the house, they can make the case to voters that they tried to prevent a costly election the burden of which would have been borne by the citizens. This would also make a strong case for a clear mandate.

The people of Delhi deserve a Government at the State level. This right cannot be taken away from them. All options should be explored. Fresh elections should be a last resort. more