Finally Arvind Kejriwal arrived at Varanasi, with all his support system. His party workers escorted him like grand Maharaja, yet he walked the streets of Varanasi like a common man. My newspaper’s correspondent from there said that there was an unexpected crowd there and they were crazy for Kejriwal in Varanasi. Like any other Hindu, he took a dip in Ganga and started his campaign for AAP. There was a huge media gathering with him. People were looking over enthusiastic to shake their hands with AAP chief. More than mediapersons’ cameras, common man were seen taking photographs and videos of this naïve politician through their mobile phones. Everyone was expecting some or the other kind of act by other parties for him in Varanasi. In spite of all odds, he walked his way straight, fearlessly and greeted people with his popular and unique smile. Smeared with sandalwood paste as he exited from the Vishwanath temple, Kejriwal did not speak to journalists and merely smiled even as the vocal protests continued. His smile is his strength which is upsetting opponents.
He was quite reluctant over his stand of contesting the Lok Sabha election from Varanasi, to save the people and the country from Modi. Eggs were thrown at his car outside the Kashi Vishwanath temple, with the protestors steadily raising anti-Kejriwal slogans and asking him to leave the city. Can you imagine, all these protesters were locals and Hindus, but in the rage of attacking Kejriwal, they even ‘ignored’ the holy premises of Lord Shiva and threw eggs there. Anyways, there is a saying that “anger needs no wisdom. It knows only attack and aggression”. People were calling him a “traitor”. Hundreds of slogan-shouting people blocked his cavalcade while raising slogans of “Modi, Modi”. Security personnel had a tough time controlling the mob. The demonstrators said that they wanted only Modi to contest the Lok Sabha election from Varanasi. Somewhere I was disappointed by this type of behaviour by Modi’s supporters. They should defeat him with the EVM machine and not by openly protesting and holding him on the streets.
After visiting individually in states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka, Kejriwal felt that people were angry with mainstream parties and were looking for a change in the political system. AAP can be that change. It is basically an expression of people’s anger against the current corrupt system of politics. Having fielded 339 candidates so far, the AAP leader is hopeful of winning 100 seats all over India. However, the party has not opened its card regarding who it will back for formation of government. Locals of Varanasi were backing the party in a big way. Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Christians from all over India are coming in large numbers to support this party, because it promotes honesty and integrity.
Let’s not predict that the fate of AAP in 2014 general elections would be a farce; let the time decide its destiny. It would have been better if AAP had done something worthy in Delhi and shown its capability. It is really funny that most of the print and electronic media are projecting Kejriwal as one of the leading contenders for the Prime Ministers along with Modi and Rahul. There are few regional parties which will do much better than AAP then why Mamata, Jayalalithaa, Mayawati, Nitesh Kumar, Mulayam are not included in that list? Many are questioning the integrity of AAP. They want to know the policies of Aam Aadmi Party. If they are looking to cleanse the system then they have to work towards this. Merely selecting candidates from all walks of life is not enough. The electorate has to be convinced that this party will give stable government in the centre and will complete its term.
Moreover, the question is, will Arvind Kejriwal graciously abandon his self-important dialogues and distorted detestation towards BJP which pose a real challenge to the deceptive UPA regime on behalf of the righteous people of this country? Is it not impulsive for him not to be part of the victory over the outrageous Congress and instead indirectly support the Congress?
Let’s imagine a scenario which is projected by Kejriwal happens, that is – Modi, Rahul, Kejriwal, Kumar Vishwas are defeated. AAP gets 100 seats. What happens then? AAP will support Rajnath Singh or Sushma Swaraj to become PM or will AAP join a third front with Lalu, Mulayam, Jaya, Mayawati etc., to form the government? How long this coalition will continue as each and everybody is dreaming to become PM or like Delhi, AAP will help to have no government? Speaking about honesty and integrity is good. There is saying, Even if I lose both my eyes, it does not matter; I want my next door neighbour to lose one eye so that he knows the meaning of BLINDIE. I would have liked to hear Kejriwal saying I would stand against Modi even if I do not win. The verbal attack on Modi sounds like a grudge against him or a personal vendetta which does not sound right for a candidate who is thought to be a gentleman. I am not a supporter of any particular leader or party, but fact can’t be over looked. Modi has done his homework and is ready for the battle. Both of them have experience of state level politics but the major difference is, Modi is in politics from many years and voted as CM of Gujarat thrice, whereas Kejriwal is a newbie and ruled only for 49 days in Delhi. Modi has proven himself with his governance, while Kejriwal quit CM post and is not a suitable candidate for Prime Minister’s job.
Whosoever makes it, let’s leave it to the time……….. Jo jeeta wohi sikandar.
