On 14th February Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government will celebrate its 1st anniversary. The party which was born out of the Jan Lokpal movement is yet to draw a conclusion on the Bill. On February 14, 2015, exactly one year after Arvind Kejriwal had stepped down as Chief Minister of Delhi for ‘not being allowed’ to introduce the Delhi Jan Lokpal Bill he was sworn in again. At the conclusion of his premature stint at the rudder of the Delhi government, he found himself at the same political crossroads. We need to understand that, Jan Lokpal Bill is necessary as the current arrangement didn’t prevent corruption. Delhi has been deliberately put under home ministry to keep the CM weak and powerless. Arvind Kejriwal is speaking openly about things that Sheila used to say in private. Both Congress and BJP know what he is talking about. Their immediate problem is self-preservation. What is surprising is the denial mode of major political parties, despite losing election in Delhi. The very reason behind the evolution of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) — symbolised by a broom that primarily sought to clean up Delhi’s ‘dirty politics’, deliver graft-free governance and was chosen as item number one on his party’s 70-point manifesto — Kejriwal was intended crusade against corruption through the Delhi Jan Lokpal Bill.
People gave huge mandate to broom symbol because they promised to ‘work 24X7’ to enact the Jan Lokpal Bill. Mr. Kejriwal, sworn in as the eighth Chief Minister of Delhi at a public spectacle sans the usual VIP bandobast at north Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, would reiterate his ambition to make Delhi ‘India’s first corruption-free city’ in five years. However, as fate would have it, the road to delivering on the most significant of his promises — the Delhi Jan Lokpal Bill was passed by the Assembly in November and the anti-corruption mechanism both within and beyond government departments has, arguably, been strengthened among the seeming elimination of ‘avenues of corruption. Arguments over the Jan Lokpal Bill tabling in Delhi Assembly are interesting, before seeking permission from the Central Government. It is sad part that each and every rule and clause of the Constitution becomes controversial when two legal luminaries start interpreting it in the race of displaying his/her supremacy ignoring the intent of that rule and clause in the larger interest of the nation. Drafting Committee of the Constitution had warned that our Constitution is the best in the world to fulfill the needs of every citizen, and if anything goes wrong it is not the Constitution but the intent in the person. Now, it is up to the citizens how they keep up the sanctity or malign the Constitution. Alas! History is telling us our progress after Independence.
So far, political parties have been adopting the long way to showcase that they want to do something, but in reality there were no intentions of doing anything. It is only possible by right people with right intentions. AAP is on the way of showing the whole political class that, how it does not matter, what they say when, one has got a clear conscience, correct intentions and should keep moving. Toothless Lokpal which is easily accepted by Anna Hazare needs amendment as there has to be some deterrence to corrupt ministers. Many corrupts can be punished and once conviction is announced wide publicity should be given to the case, the accuser and the accused to deter other government servants from indulging in the corruption. It all depends on how it is implemented in reality. Delhiites will have to come forward and file complaints against corruption through their Jan Lokpal.
This is a commendable step which shows that we need to possess right intentions to clean the political mess in our country. I hope people compare this bill with Gujarat’s Lokayukt Bill and then they can gauge the intentions of both the chief ministers. The important message is that AAP is serious with their plans and the country welfare then why we should not support their intents and look forward for clean government?
People who criticize AAP should know that Arvind Kejriwal does not have any magic stick to change the policies overnight and specially with all corrupt leaders hindering him. Whatever Arvind has achieved so far, perhaps Anna Hazare could not have achieved this. Kejriwal deserves all the praise for this and people behind him. Till now our politicians used to feel they are above the law and can do whatever they like, instead of acknowledging that they are elected by the people and are servants of the people. This has given room for protection and promotion of frauds. Now, there are immediate requirement of massive expansion of judiciary and jails too. Inspite of looking for great corruption free politics, corrupt parties and officials with corporates are trying to bring down Delhi government. Arvind Kejriwal has an option to go to court in adverse situation, but we all know our lengthy judicial procedures will not resolve the issue timely. AAP is living up to its promises and hope will continue to do the good work.
