INDIA
The word is rife that Arvind Kejriwal, by accepting the Congress' outside support, has walked into a trap; that he would be exposed in no time as he would find it impossible to fulfil his 'lofty' promises.
Congress leaders are coming up with arithmetic and calculations to explain that it is not possible to slash the power tariff to half, that there are no skeletons in the Delhi Jal Board's cupboard and that Kejriwal was free to conduct any enquiry he wanted to.
A trap that could be, but for whom? Never before in Delhi politics since 1993, when the Delhi assembly came into being, has there been a politician who has had the mettle to divide both the political giants - the Congress and the BJP - with one single stroke. Kejriwal has done that.
While a section in the Congress is sulking vocally over giving support to his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Bharatiya Janata Party is a divided house with voices of dissent over Harsh Vardhan's refusal to form a government. A number of Delhi BJP leaders feel that Harsh Vardhan was bluffed by Kejriwal. "We have the maximum seats and yet we are sitting in the opposition. What kind of politics is that?" asked one of them.
The Congress has just stopped short of making a U-turn, and instead salvaged its position from giving "unconditional support" to "issue-based support".
A veteran Congress political leader recently admitted that Kejriwal was "a far more shrewd politician than any of us". It is a compliment for the 45-year old debutant. "They are right. They are not politicians, but 'dalals' (power brokers). The late Lal Bahadur Shastri was a politician. And we are following in his footsteps," Kejriwal retorted.
Political pundits guess that giving support to AAP is a Congress ploy to defer a fresh Delhi assembly election by a few months so that it does not concur with the Lok Sabha election because, in that case, the BJP will be a clear winner.
Despite that, the AAP's success is going to be very limited. Once the euphoria dies down, Kejriwal will have to face many realities, some bitter and many out of his direct control.
His Delhi Secretariat stint is surely not going to be a joyride.
The first problem, in the form of a steep hike in CNG and PNG tariff, Has been tossed by the Congress-led union government even before he could take the oath of office. Knowing the Congress, there are surely more to come. And with the Delhi chief minister having no control over several important things like law and order and land, it's going to be tough to negotiate the bouncers. Will the Delhi Government continue to get central funds and assistance in as much abundance as it did during Sheila Dikshit's reign?
The old political outfits are known to always have more than a few dirty tricks up their sleeves. For instance, there could be large-scale demolitions in unauthorised colonies in Delhi - the erstwhile Congress strongholds - from where AAP drew considerable support. We saw a protest at Mansarovar Park in East Delhi where bulldozers overnight razed the hutments, leaving scores under the open sky in chilling winter. It could be replicated at other places.
And then, God forbid, there could be communal or caste-based clashes. Perhaps that's going too far but that's not unprecedented. How the harmonious Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh was plunged into a communal conflagration adds some meat to this seemingly far-fetched speculation.
If any such thing happens, Kejriwal would find himself on slippery turf. It would be difficult for him to explain to the public that he has little control over land use or law and order, just like Sheila Dikshit found it difficult to explain in the aftermath of the Dec 16 gang-rape in Delhi.
But Kejriwal's real challenge would come from the ones he is claiming to represent - the Aam Aadmi or common man! What if a party supporter comes asking for a favour, in terms of a government contract or an out of turn promotion?
Or what if Kejriwal, a former taxman, asks Delhi's traders to pay up the sales tax and VAT honestly so that his government would have enough money to meet its promises? Will they obey? What if Kejriwal goes after them and threatens to scrutinize their account books?
Lastly, what would be the new government's take on illegal constructions? Will it connive with them or will it go against them?
If he rejects such requests or refuses to connive, he is likely to lose his base. The autorickshaw unions, his big time supporters, are already threatening to go on a strike over a fare hike. But if he honours such requests, he would lose credibility.
Arvind Kejriwal, one is tempted to say, is placed between a rock and a hard place.
Delhi: All primary schools closed, classes shifted to online mode due to rising pollution levels
BIG trouble for Anil Ambani, criminal charges against his Rs 14422 crore company over...
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 producer calls Singham Again team 'unfair' after the box office win
From Play to Pay, Gaming Is Big Business And A Genuine Professional Prospect
Leasehold vs Freehold: Exploring Options for Expats and Investors in Dubai
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance, Disney complete Rs 70352 crore media merger, to be headed by...
Badshah lands in legal trouble, case registered against rapper for...
GRAP III imposed in Delhi: What is allowed, what is banned amid 'severe' air quality
'Throwing me in deep end': Ricky Ponting takes fresh dig at Gautam Gambhir over Virat Kohli remarks
Revolutionizing Inventory Management in the Cloud Era: Pradeep Kumar’s Strategic Innovations
Delhi: AAP's Mahesh Khichi elected mayor as party defeats BJP in MCD polls
Delhi Air Pollution: GRAP 3 to be imposed in national capital from Nov 15, strict ban on...
WATCH: Inside Rinku Singh's Rs 3.5 crore luxurious house with rooftop bar, private pool
Renowned Yoga Guru Sharath Jois passes away at 53 after suffering heart attack
NASA alert! Giant 'God Of Chaos' asteroid set for close approach to Earth, may trigger astroquakes
UPPSC protest BIG update: RO-ARO exam postponed, PCS prelims to be held in one day
This man earned more money than Mukesh Ambani and world's richest man Elon Musk in one day, he is...
'World's best....': Japan vlogger's reaction to Bengaluru airport goes viral
Sania Mirza named Sports Ambassador of THIS city, not Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur
Shloka Mehta turns heads in sleek white gown at Tira store launch, see pics
Amid Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai divorce rumours, Jaya Bachchan surprises everyone with...
IND vs SA: Arshdeep Singh goes past Bhuvneshwar Kumar to become Indian pacer with most....
Mukesh Ambani, Isha Ambani’s luxury retail chain opens new store at...
PM Modi to receive Dominica’s highest national award for...
Shraddha Kapoor says people with big foreheads are…
'Busy making...': Kanhaiya Kumar sparks row with remarks on Devendra Fadnavis' wife; BJP hits back
'Full baarati vibes': Vietnamese man's epic 'nagin dance' steals show at Mumbai event
Tilak Varma credits THIS player for his century against South Africa, says 'He gave me...'
UPSC IFS Mains Admit Card 2024 to be released today at upsc.gov.in, check direct link to download
'Be prepared for...': Rupali Ganguly's stepdaughter Esha Verma REACTS to Rs 50 crore defamation case
Saudi, Iran: Cautious dance toward détente?
Anushka Sharma shares glimpse of Children’s Day special dish for daughter Vamika, son Akaay
Jaw-dropping! Man wraps massive green anaconda around his shoulders, internet says...
Donald Trump plans to end Russia-Ukraine war with THIS move, is expected to 'soon' appoint...
As pollution worsens in Delhi with AQI at 'severe' level, experts at COP29 urge India to...
SDM Assault Case: 60 people arrested in Rajasthan's Tonk
Veg thali cost more than non-veg thali in October, here's why
Land drug trafficking patterns in North-Eastern Region
Shillong Teer Result November 14, 2024: Know updates on lucky winning numbers
Mukesh Ambani's SUPERHIT offer for Jio users: Get unlimited validity for 84 days at just Rs...
Delhi air quality dips to 'severe' category as AQI nears dangerous...
Bigg Boss OTT-fame Bhojpuri actress Akshara Singh receives extortion threat
‘All I do is…’: After Arjun Kapoor confirms breakup with Malaika Arora, her cryptic video goes viral
World Diabetes Day 2024: Types, causes, precaution to avoid this chronic disease
Children's Day 2024: 50 WhatsApp wishes, messages, quotes to share on bal diwas
AUS vs PAK Live Streaming: When and where to watch Australia vs Pakistan 1st T20I live in India?