India had two contrasting models of Governance in the past. “Kerala model” was lauded by the Liberal world, and the “Gujarat model” was derided by liberals in spite of its successful two decades. Now there is a third model, “The Delhi Model” or “Kejriwal Model”. Arvind Kejriwal has been accused of being a U-turn specialist by critics. Kejriwal is an IIT product and knows that two U-turns bring us back to the same point. Hence, he keeps doing that repeatedly on an “Odd-Even” basis. That is the Kejriwal Model.
Kejriwal keeps reiterating his promise of “24-hour drinking water through the tap in entire Delhi within 5 years”. This promise is over seven years old, originally from 2015. He repeated it before the 2020 Assembly election. The same will be renewed in 2025, to be repeated in 2030. Most of Kejriwal’s promises like Janlokpal, 15 Lakh CCTV cameras and more schools have taken a similar route towards eternity.
Kejriwal was shot to fame during the “Anna Andolan”. He said in his famous speech, “I think all problems lie in the Chair (power). Whoever sits on it becomes corrupt. It’s possible those agitating against corruption today might end up as corrupt after sitting on the chair.” “Prophetic words!” Aam Aadmi Party has given tickets to corrupt officials who helped Robert Vadra. They’ve been accused of selling tickets and Rajyasabha seats to the highest bidders. But Kejriwal has given a clean chit to himself and his party. That alone matters.
The Kejriwal Model is multifaceted. It involves fighting Court cases to stop the regularisation of Kashmiri Migrant Teachers in Delhi. It means giving tax exemption to movies involving Urban Naxals and denying the same to the cinema showing the truth of the Kashmiri Hindu genocide. When Kejriwal’s “YouTube” jibe on “The Kashmir Files” created a furore, Manish Sisodia told the media, “BJP is only promoting The Kashmir Files movie. Our Government gave permanent jobs to Kashmiri Pandits.” Kashmiri Migrant Teachers (KMT) immediately pointed out that the AAP Government regularised them after all legal routes were exhausted when the Supreme Court dismissed the Delhi Government’s case against KMT. Since then, Sisodia has claimed, “BJP is trying to get Kejriwal assassinated.” Desh Bhakt Kejriwal has declared, “I’m ready to die for the country.”
Manish Sisodia told the media, “BJP is only promoting The Kashmir Files movie. Our Government gave permanent jobs to Kashmiri Pandits.” Kashmiri Migrant Teachers (KMT) immediately pointed out that the AAP Government regularised them after all legal routes were exhausted when the Supreme Court dismissed the Delhi Government’s case against KMT
Kejriwal Model is giving a three-fold hike for Madrasa staff and not paying regular salaries to Anganwadi workers. During the lockdown, it is dumping migrant labour from UP, Bihar but extending “extra support” to the Rohingyas and Bangladeshi immigrants. It is about asking, “Why are Governments wasting money on advertisements? Spend that on welfare.” when not in power and spending Hundreds of Crores on television and print advertising when in management—advertising in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Andhra, where AAP has practically no presence. That’s the Kejriwal Model.
Placing Nitin Gadkari on his list of “most corrupt people” and then apologising when slapped with a defamation suit was one of the early landmarks of the Kejriwal Model. He had sworn to his children, “Bachchon Ki Kasam,” that there would be no alliance with Congress or BJP. Then AK49 happened. Involving “Krantikaari” media persons in scripted interviews and then blaming “Godi media” for giving him bad press too is Kejriwal Model.
Playing soft Hindutva cards and chanting Hanuman Chalisa during elections but pampering Islamists immediately after elections is the default Kejriwal Model. Once upon a time, Kejriwal’s grandmother said, “Lord Rama will not be happy if we construct a temple after destroying the place of worship of other people.” Today, his grandmother’s grandson promises a free pilgrimage for Hindus to Ayodhya. He achieves secular balance by adding pilgrimages to Ajmer for Muslims and Velankani for Christians. More Kejriwal Model.
In his elaborate defence of “Freebies politics” before the Punjab elections, he said, “I have come with a clear-cut plan for Punjab. There is at least 20% corruption in Government deals. We will eradicate corruption and save Rs. 54,000 Crores annually. That will be used for welfare programs.” Soon after taking the oath, his Punjab Chief Minister Bhagvant Mann demands Rs. 50,000 Crore annual package from PM Modi for at least two years. They even begin blackmail with covert and overt fanning of Khalistani sentiments—typical Kejriwal Model.
Like the Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, Kejriwal is a well-known supporter of free speech and the right to protest. He provided all facilities for the Shaheen Bagh protestors during the Anti-CAA protests. Leaders from his party have been charged in different cases connected to the Delhi riots. He provided tents, Ambulances, Police cover, free electricity connections and several other logistics when the “farmers” blocked the highways for months at the Singhu border. He advised PM Modi to listen to farmers and solve their issues amicably.
Now that Kejriwal’s party is in power in Punjab, he has emulated Justin Trudeau. Farmers belonging to Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) were protesting against the non-payment of compensation for cotton crops damaged due to pink bollworms. Punjab Police have beaten up the protestors, and at least seven protestors have been injured. Police also registered cases under varying sections against ten farmers and several unidentified people.
Having abused PM Modi “Coward and psychopath” on Twitter, Kejriwal has become too touchy these days and filed a case against BJP youth leader Tajinder Bagga for criticising him. Practically, Kejriwal has done everything he protested against before 2013. The “Chair” has changed the Aam Aadmi into extra-Khaas Aadmi. Prophet Kejriwal’s words have come true in totality. Hail Kejriwal!
