In short term as chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal trafficked in change
Even NDTV couldn't help but say good things. Congress shame on you. BJP, by doing what you did you have just distanced yourself further from the citizens of Delhi. Shame on BJP CM Candidate. You couldn't find a better reason than Khiri-Somnath Bharti episode. Dr. Harshwardhan has lost all my respect.
New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal, disruptor extraordinaire, was Delhi's Chief Minister for 49 days, but it was a term long enough to signpost a series of new political markers.
There was no motorcade or sprawling bungalow for the 45-year-old former tax inspector, who vowed that his Aam Aadmi Party and ministers would spurn the trappings of power.
He rode a metro train to a public park to take oath as chief minister; his blue Wagon-R was seen often waiting at red lights instead of whizzing through; he launched an anti-bribery helpline. "If anyone in the government asks you for a bribe, don't say 'no'," he said. "You report it on the phone number and we'll catch every bribe-taker red-handed."
More controversially, he tenanted the heart of the capital last month with a two-day demonstration that demanded action against police officers who he accused of negligence.
During that sit-in, he was photographed sleeping on the road near the Wagon-R, wrapped up in a blanket.
His decision to quit today delivers what his party has promised - that it will accept no compromises in its battle with corruption. Mr Kejriwal resigned after his anti-graft Jan Lokpal Bill was stalled in the Delhi legislature by law-makers from other parties. "I am here not to save the government but to save the country from corruption," he declared in the Assembly.
The demand for a Lokpal or ombudsman to investigate and prosecute corrupt government officers was the headline of the anti-corruption movement that was designed by Mr Kejriwal in 2012 and fronted by his former mentor Anna Hazare.
They disagreed on Mr Kejriwal's decision to form a political party. Anna, 76, said he could not support a political group. Mr Kejriwal said it was clear that to sanitize a system seeped in graft, he would have to work from within. He christened his party after the little guy who he said nobody seemed to stand for.
The Aam Aadmi Party was launched in October 2012. The two main political parties, the Congress and the BJP, wrote it off as a group of activists lacking experience, vision and funding.
Undeterred, AAP sought online donations, and posted their records on its website. An army of volunteers pounded the pavement day and night in Delhi, brandishing the party symbol, a broom, declaring to cleanse the polity of venality and restore citizens' rights.
In the December 4 election to the legislative assembly of Delhi, no party won the majority of seats required to rule on its own.
The impasse that ensued was broken after the AAP - in a display of citizenship politics - consulted the people of the city. It then agreed to lead the Delhi government with external support from the Congress party.
AAP's decision to halve power prices and supply free water to families were censured as populist. Earlier this week, the party said 24,000 people who had not paid their power bills, as urged by AAP in 2012-13, need to pay just half of what they owe. more
New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal, disruptor extraordinaire, was Delhi's Chief Minister for 49 days, but it was a term long enough to signpost a series of new political markers.
There was no motorcade or sprawling bungalow for the 45-year-old former tax inspector, who vowed that his Aam Aadmi Party and ministers would spurn the trappings of power.
He rode a metro train to a public park to take oath as chief minister; his blue Wagon-R was seen often waiting at red lights instead of whizzing through; he launched an anti-bribery helpline. "If anyone in the government asks you for a bribe, don't say 'no'," he said. "You report it on the phone number and we'll catch every bribe-taker red-handed."
More controversially, he tenanted the heart of the capital last month with a two-day demonstration that demanded action against police officers who he accused of negligence.
During that sit-in, he was photographed sleeping on the road near the Wagon-R, wrapped up in a blanket.
His decision to quit today delivers what his party has promised - that it will accept no compromises in its battle with corruption. Mr Kejriwal resigned after his anti-graft Jan Lokpal Bill was stalled in the Delhi legislature by law-makers from other parties. "I am here not to save the government but to save the country from corruption," he declared in the Assembly.
The demand for a Lokpal or ombudsman to investigate and prosecute corrupt government officers was the headline of the anti-corruption movement that was designed by Mr Kejriwal in 2012 and fronted by his former mentor Anna Hazare.
They disagreed on Mr Kejriwal's decision to form a political party. Anna, 76, said he could not support a political group. Mr Kejriwal said it was clear that to sanitize a system seeped in graft, he would have to work from within. He christened his party after the little guy who he said nobody seemed to stand for.
The Aam Aadmi Party was launched in October 2012. The two main political parties, the Congress and the BJP, wrote it off as a group of activists lacking experience, vision and funding.
Undeterred, AAP sought online donations, and posted their records on its website. An army of volunteers pounded the pavement day and night in Delhi, brandishing the party symbol, a broom, declaring to cleanse the polity of venality and restore citizens' rights.
In the December 4 election to the legislative assembly of Delhi, no party won the majority of seats required to rule on its own.
The impasse that ensued was broken after the AAP - in a display of citizenship politics - consulted the people of the city. It then agreed to lead the Delhi government with external support from the Congress party.
AAP's decision to halve power prices and supply free water to families were censured as populist. Earlier this week, the party said 24,000 people who had not paid their power bills, as urged by AAP in 2012-13, need to pay just half of what they owe. more
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Agreed that system is rotten and needs to be changed. But it has to be gradual and step wise. In this case Lokpal bill was no way different that that under consideration in Parliament. The only difference was that in Parliament thee bill is in two parts: Lokpal and citizen charter. My point is why the procedure or rules were not challenged at the first place. Correct procedure would have been to seek permission from Governor and if delay than challenge in court. in the supreme court at the first place and saw the outcome. I hope that we donot want to say that courts are also sold out. Than raising of Mukesh Ambani looks like a after thought to justify the resignation. It was always known that the bill cannot be presented in such way. The movement looks like moving into 1917 Russian movements or Maoist movement. Each of such movement started with noble cause and than to remain existent and anything against is not relished more
Feb 16
This is one point of view, and a number of people subscribe to it. But there is a counter view too, and people, fed up with the existing system-all around corruption with nexus, share it. The malise is so deeply entrenched that " polished " methods will have zero impact. A degree of unconventionality seems necessary. When things are assesed from this angle the decisions taken dont seem too wrong ? more
Feb 15
Let us analyse the situation. Question is whether AAP party can get the majority in Parliament elections and does it have the necessary experience to run the Government. The experience of Delhi has shown the lack of experience and by any standards, AAP can not get majority. Wishful thinking does not solve the problems. With 35 years of professional experience as infrastructure expert and an ardent admirer of AAP, I was disillusioned with the frenzy environment being created by them on flimsy ground rather than consolidating position on reformation of Delhi. No one pass engineering or medicine by spending one month per class. You need to learn the skills and develop trust of professionals, intellectuals with logics rather than emotional outsets. We all including AAP is agreed that they will not be able to have majority this election. Irrespective of principles or efficiency or whatever it is that leaves the choice between Congress, third front or BJP. I feel that AAP had taken off as movement against corruption and this election rather than fighting itself, it should announce taht AAP shall work against corrupt candidates. This will improve the environment and a clear government and AAP may consolidate itself for next election. I donot think that India can afford anarchy for next five years and we may feel sad that AAP contributed to that. Let us decide as what do we want: development of ourselves out of leftist anarchy or consolidate by way of positive thinking more
Feb 15
We still have more challenge specially to find out ways and means to bring in awareness in the people who belongs to areas (especially rural) where Dirty politicians buy their honesty by Dirty means... Suggest strategy on it. more
Feb 15
