I broadly agree with sentiments expressed by my friend Vistasp. At the same time, I would like to make certain observations pertaining to the two day siege at Delhi: 1. Had the Police not acted with exceptional restraint, the street-side protest organized by the ruling party-AAP, would have snowballed into something ugly. 2. The AAP had merrily and contemptuously abandoned all instruments of reasoned negotiation. 3. The AAP was, and still is, less-than-categorical in upbraiding their own cabinet minister who used intemperate language and is widely accused of vicious conduct. 4. The AAP made the transfer of a few policemen a bigger issue than running Indias Capital City. 5. The Chief Minister of Delhi, a constitutional post holder, publicly said that Republic Day celebrations didnt matter. 6. The Chief Minister of Delhi said that it was he who would decide where the Union Home Minister Shinde would sit. Tomorrow, the Chief Minister may apply the same arrogant yet fatuous logic to the Central Police Organizations, Chiefs of Army/Navy/Air-force, Chief Justice of India, Prime Minister of India and the President of India. 7. In short, the Chief Minister of Delhi came across as either a reckless political agitator or an extremely clever, and perhaps, cynical political manipulator. Now, we need to ask ourselves the following questions: 1. Do we value individual liberty over the blackmailing might of the collective. 2. Do we understand the importance of the basic rules of business in governance. 3. Do we understand that problems, like those in Delhi Police, are the byproducts of systemic failures; and therefore intelligent reform, not slogan-shouting, is the solution. 4. Do we believe that leadership goes much beyond rabble-rousing and postured threatening. 5. Do we believe in basic decency of behaviour as opposed to crude abrasive conduct by holders of public office as displayed in Delhi. 6. Do we believe that the AAP should begin and end with Arvind Kejriwal. 7. Do we condone the uncouth behaviour and language of Arvind Kejriwal and his courtiers like Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, Somnath Bharati, Kumar Vishwas etc. I think, the AAP needs to come out of the dark shadow of their current leadership and strive to become what it initially set out to be - A party that represents the aspirations of the Common Man of this country; and not another party that is predicated on Personality Cult.
Posted on: Wed, 22 Jan 2014 09:15:51 +0000
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