Arvind Kejriwal has been in the news, in the limelight for the last few years. To be precise, he has been in the media, mainstream (electronic/print) and social media for many reasons, mostly however being uncharitable ones. The unfortunate and ghastly rape and murder of Nirbhaya in the Indian capital in December 2013, resulted in huge outpouring of resentment and rage among people. That in a way was cleverly capitalized by a man named Arvind Kejriwal as a stepping stone to start, consolidate and build a political career for himself and start a new saga of hit ‘n’ run politics that so far was not widely practiced in India.
Kejriwal has studied engineering (BTech) from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur) (IITK). The Indian IITs are widely acclaimed the world over for their hugely talented pool of students, many of who are currently leading some of the world’s top companies. He followed it up with joining the civil services as an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) Officer.
His experience as a bureaucrat certainly helped him in understanding the psyche of bureaucracy and political masters in the country. His actions as a politician are clearly evident of the lessons that he learnt fast and exploited them successfully. His joining hands with Anna Hazare, a respected, old activist fighting for appointment of an independent Lokpal (Ombusdman), both at the federal and state levels of government, in the form of India against Corruption (IAC) movement in 2013 turned out to be a political masterstroke.
In a few months, he became a national hero…prominently displayed on many major publications, interviewed by mainstream TV channels and a section of population putting their unflinching trust in him. Some media stories, partly true and some concocted, were done and disseminated. So much so, that Kejriwal decided to take a plunge into electoral politics, dismissed suggestion from his erstwhile activist colleagues, mentor Anna Hazare, secured enough funding to start a political party, compete against the then heavyweight Congress and form a government in the semi-state Delhi.
But his over-confidence actually took him a bit ahead of his time. Plagued by huge resentment, lack of economic activity, inflation and huge corruption, Congress party was badly mauled in the Delhi elections while Modi-led Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) made spectacular political gains across India and was able to form the federal government. However, sensing the miserable and disorganized state of Indian National Congress (INC) and not expecting Modi to make impressive gains, Kejriwal went on to challenge and contest against Modi in Varanasi in 2014 and lost badly.
But a Machiavellian politician, he realized gains out of the contest that he as an individual politician would get. An unlikely win against Modi in 2014 elections would have had catapulted him straight to the pinnacle of Indian politics. With Congress in a poor shape, BJP just making a serious bid for power at the national level, all regional parties rudderless, a Kejriwal could have forced his way to the position of Prime Minister a la Deve Gowda/Gujaral/Chandra Sekhar (i.e. with a very small number, forming federal government since major parties like INC/BJP failing to get the requisite numbers and both not supporting each other).
As that did not happen, Kejriwal being young as against many important politicians in India, waited for his time and started building a narrative. As the Chief Minister (CM) of a semi-state Delhi, he started selling lofty dreams of world-class education and health for citizens. While there was nothing wrong with the idea, the fact that he has continually exploited social media, some specific journalists (India/western) and virtually bought major part of media who never dared to call his bluffs, some of that became clear out of Right to Information (RTI) queries.
The shrewd political game that Kejriwal seems to have the mastery of, has resulted in him /his political party AamAdami Party (AAP) not being called in either by media/intellectuals. Some well-known but rarely talked of misdemeanors associated with him but escaped scrutiny by all could be summarized as such:
F During his hugely-publicized India Against Corruption (IAC) led by his the then mentor Anna Hazare, Kejriwal leveled charges of corruption against Sonia Gandhi, Robert Vadra, Lalu Yadav and others, claiming to have irrefutable evidences against them. However, while trying to further his political ambitions in national politics, he did not see any compunction allying with the same people/parties.
F While going to polls, Kejriwal talked of integrity and probity in public life. He castigated the then Delhi Chief Minister (CM) late Sheila Dixit and promised leading a simple life even as a CM with own 2BHK flat, small car and no security as part of saving public exchequer. However, once he became the CM, big official car, huge security and a renovated big bungalow (SeeshMahal) on which he spent more than Rs 52 crore INR surreptiously, tells a different tale.
F His promotion of personal/political loyalty among officials instead of ensuring they following rules has also been controversial. A long list of officials has faced incessant harassment and humiliation since they refused to toe his dictates. The names include Delhi Chief Secretari(es)Anshu Prakash and Naresh Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Shakuntal Gamin, Services Secretary Ashish More, Special Secretaries Kinny Singh and YVVJ Rajasekhar, Power Secretary Shurbir Singh, Head of anti-corruption cell Madhur Verma and few others. Interestingly, all of them faced political persecution as they refused to follow many of Kejriwal/his party’s actions which could be challenged in a court of law.
F Kejriwal has a long list of ministerial/political associates having dubious records, relating to illegality, corruption and violence. Tahir Hussain, Amanullah Khan, Sisodia, Satyendra Jain are merely some of them. Amusingly, their lawful arrests as evidenced by courts refusal to bail them out, has repeatedly been used by Kejriwal as political and has been conveniently supported by a large section of media.
F Kejriwal’s silence of implicit and explicit actions by Khalistanis, inside and outside India, his tacit support/approval to their illegal, violent and provocative actions and protection to Amritpal Singh, all suggest his questionable intent and actions vis-à-vis India’s sovereignty. Pannu’s (one of India’s most wanted terrorists) unsubstantiated claims of having paid huge money to Kejriwal and his party AAP, could well be traced to his hands-off approach towards Khalistanis and perpetual decline of Punjab under his party’s rule.
F Kejriwal has an interesting track record of using various individuals to further his name/politics. An anonymous ex-army officer (who actually conceptualized RTI for India but Kejriwal got all the credit), Anna Hazare, Kiran Bedi, Kumar Vishwas, Kapil Mishra are some of his close associates who are out of favour today.
F His questionable actions on liquor scam, Delhi Jal Board scam, alleged bitcoin hawala scam, insistence on not sharing password for his iPhone with legal authorities, his close associate Raghav Chadda’s sudden disappearance and suspect activities in the UK, indicate all is not well with Kejriwal and his AAP party.
F Importantly, Kejriwal’s alleged links and explicit support by Ford Foundation (US), (Ramon Magassessay Award given to Kejriwal is backed by Ford Foundation) governments of the US and Germany, his building up of support nationally and internationally with the use of media, all are indicative of his/AAP’s illegal and anti-Indian activities.
F Kejriwal and his party’s dubious role in the alleged LiquorGate Scam are still under investigation by ED and CBI but serious questions have been raised on some other purported scams too.
Kejriwal has been using various individuals, organization and media to portray a simple, positive image who is being victimized by Modi-led Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). However, a detailed analysis of his background since his days of being an IRS officer, create a smokescreen of his real works and actions. Time has come to dig deeper and find out the real Kejriwal and his dubious activities.