People decided to breath fresh air, drink clean water and stop fighting with centre
Fall of Kejriwal seems to be an episode of arrogance, deceit and selfishness which is beautifully explained by Bhagwat Geeta. Before we delve deeper, let’s see what his close friend of past and one of the founders of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), said on his defeat,
“Countless children, youth, and elderly once believed that India would be free from corruption. All these people had aspirations. But a person (Arvind Kejriwal) who betrayed friends, disrespected teachers, and broke family values also shattered their hopes and has now faced the consequences of his own actions”
Kumar Vishwas, HT 8th Feb 2025.
The election is dissected in depth by most of the journalist and political pundits but they have missed the message of Bhagwat Geeta. Two shlokas from Bhagwat Geeta chapter 2 explain the plight of people chasing desires without having self-control.
ध्यायतो विषयान्पुंस: सङ्गस्तेषूपजायते |
सङ्गात्सञ्जायते काम: कामात्क्रोधोऽभिजायते ||2. 62||
dhyāyato viṣhayān puṁsaḥ saṅgas teṣhūpajāyate
saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ kāmāt krodho ’bhijāyate
While contemplating on the objects of the senses, one develops attachment to them. Attachment leads to desire, and from desire arises anger.
क्रोधाद्भवति सम्मोह: सम्मोहात्स्मृतिविभ्रम: |
स्मृतिभ्रंशाद् बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात्प्रणश्यति || 63||
krodhād bhavati sammohaḥ sammohāt smṛiti-vibhramaḥ
smṛiti-bhranśhād buddhi-nāśho buddhi-nāśhāt praṇaśhyati
Anger leads to clouding of judgment, which results in bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, the intellect gets destroyed; and when the intellect is destroyed, one is ruined.
Let’s examine why these shlokas depict the rise and downfall of Kejriwal.
Kejriwal emerged as a comet in Indian politics. He was assisting Anna Hazare in his drive, ‘India Against Corruption”. Before that he acted as a RTI activist and won Magsaysay award in no time. The NGO which was formed by him to do this job, became defunct shortly after. He launched AAP discarding the advice of his mentor Anna Hazare. Became the chief minister of Delhi in December 2013. Till then, all his activities were directed against the corruption of UPA government headed by Congress and he joined politics as a result of coaxing by congress leaders. Despite these facts he filed his nomination to fight election against Narendra Modi from Varanasi. This move implied that crusade against corruption was not the goal but a tool to rise quickly. The world was surprised but wise people knew it is the result of falling prey to the desire of becoming Prime Minister.
The founder members of AAP were against it and wanted to work on Delhi to create a role model of governance. However, public was on cloud nine and countless successful Indians gave up their flourishing careers to create a corruption free India. These AAP candidates were from every field, an actor, IT professionals, a former Miss India, rights activists, a corporate executive, a cobbler, an auto-rickshaw driver, farmer leaders, former police and civil officers. People who were letdown by the student leaders groomed by Jai Prakash Narain movement, failed fight against corruption by V.P Singh, had high hopes and contributed with effort, commitment and money which is called ‘Tan Man and Dhan’, in Indian culture. Either Indian voters saw the trap early or the AAP was counting the chickens before they were hatched, only one candidate Bhagwant Mann from Sangrur in Punjab won despite fielding more than 400 candidates.
Kicking out good advisers as done by Ravan.
This is the time when hurt caused by non-fulfilment of his desire, he became inimical to everyone who advised him to be sane. Be it admiral Ramdass, Prashant Bhooshan or Yogendra Yadav. Wise people with integrity left AAP on their own or were kicked out. Rajya Sabha seats were given to people of lesser merit or no merit at all.
As explained in the above shlokas from Geeta, succumbing to sensory pleasures, developing unsatiable desire and not getting these realised, led to anger and revenge. Mind lost the power to take benevolent decisions. A worker committed suicide in the rally at Jantar Mantar. Similar to the regime of Hiranya Kashyap, Ravan or Kansa, the people with divergent opinions were treated like enemies. Allegation of beating chief secretary, Swati Maliwal surfaced. Rumours of getting funding from separatist, corruption charges became the norm.
Reckless actions.
Levelling charges of corruption on political rivals and submitting apologies in the courts was treated as a master strategy. Public money was wasted in defending these cases. The worst part was leaving people of Delhi in lurch during COVID 19. Blaming central government for not providing oxygen, without making arrangements to take the delivery. Online sharing of the confidential meeting with PM are few such examples.
No portfolio, no focus on governance, not signing of files, destroying the existing infrastructure in the name of world class amenities like Mohalla clinic, free transportation to women, free water and free electricity. not joining Ayushman Bharat, not completing the hospital started during previous regime. Even the high court was not spared.
“Supreme Court raps Delhi government for delay in providing funds to High Court” India Today Dec 11, 2023.
Free at what cost?
The services were definitely free but these were rarely available. Broken roads, logging of rain water, poor air quality, and stinking Yamuna made LIVING IN DELHI, A NIGHTMARE. Supreme court was full time busy hearing the petition filed by the Delhi government against LG, centre and so on. Dealing with Delhi government became the biggest challenge. It was well explained by his erstwhile partner,
Arvind Kejriwal “felt that politics could be done by bluster and propaganda,” Prashant Bhushan on X Feb 8.
He has proved that Authority without responsibility is tyranny. William Pitt the Elder has said, “Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it.” The new liquor policy launched by Delhi government was the live example. AAP created a unique record where more ministers were in jail then running the government. There seems to be no way out however the shloka 63 quoted above give clarity about the destruction of the person indulging in such acts and it happened like that only.
The end came too quickly.
Despite these short comings, on 7 December 2022. The Aam Aadmi Party won a simple majority in the Delhi municipal corporations. Unfortunately, this eliminated the possibility of playing the blame game. Now APP was answerable without excuses and as a result:
Unfulfilled promises, confrontational politics and corruption allegations, AAP-Congress rift, civic issues led to middle class shifting away and congress attempting to regain lost ground destroyed the invincibility of AAP in Delhi and Modi could defeat it without waiting to take next birth as claimed by arrogant Kejriwal.
Challenges for the central leadership of BJP now.
> Delhi is in a situation similar to the one faced by railways a decade ago where public wanted reduction of fare with improvement in facilities. Infrastructure was dilapidated, derailment, collisions were the norm. Citizens of Delhi may not like the loss of freebies despite suffering on account of poor infrastructure. It will be a challenging task as BJP itself has promised freebies. One possible solution is eliminating the creamy layer.
> Next challenge is Finding a chief Minister who can handle shoot and scoot strategy of Kejriwal.
> Fast disposal of court cases against AAP leaders to deprive AAP leaders using victim card.
> Resolving all the issues which led to defeat of AAP at the earliest.
> Managing communal harmony: There is a probability that desperation may inspire the losers to instigate communal unrest as many AAP leaders are facing court cases and AAP still has sympathy of certain community. The unfortunate part is, Delhi has pockets where police think twice before patrolling, the 1992 and 2020 riots are proof. The erstwhile government have sown seeds which have resulted in defending the terrorist killed in Batla house encounter and blaming the police instead. The Shaheen bagh blockage, the ‘Sar Tan se Juda’ campaign erupted post Rehmani - Nupur Sharma arguments are other proofs. There is no point in talking about peace in Kashmir, Northeast or Naxal areas if we fail to guard the national capital itself.
> Saving Punjab! We have a culture of practicing my way or no way. Hurting national interest or sabotage does not scare the people losing out. Unleashing of Mandal commission report or promoting regionalism or rifts based on languages, demanding caste based consensus etc, are few such example. Punjab being a border state and having a history of extremism in the past is to be protected from selfish motives.
Opportunities to encash.
> Insecure Kejriwal will try to enter Rajya Sabha or the Punjab government to enjoy power and immunity from law by hook or crook. This may antagonise the existing Rajya Sabha members of AAP as well as leadership in Punjab. Both Chankya and the Chinese book the ‘Art of war’ consider unrest in opposition camp as an opportunity to take advantage.
> The 2025 Delhi elections garnered significant attention from international media. The deep state might be licking its wound. But it seems that it has written off the team Delhi else protected separatist in U.S would not have levelled charges against AAP leadership.
‘Khalistani Terrorist Pannun Alleges AAP Received ₹133.54 Cr from Khalistani Groups” Free Press Journal March 25, 2024.
> With Trump in power, the influence of Soros-linked political lobbies that have been critical of the Indian government might wane, potentially reducing external pressures on India.
What the public want?
If we exclude last 15 years from the history of Delhi, we find that Delhi used to compete with best cities in the world. With beautiful gardens, historical monuments and seat of central government, it was supposed to prosper with quality infrastructure, amenities and prosperity. With big leap taken in aviation either Delhi or Mumbai will become the international hub competing with Singapore, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. To achieve this goal Delhi has to improve on many counts.
Cleaning of Yamuna River, the river flows through the middle of Delhi and if cleaned and revived it can reduce the load on other transport options. Surface transport minister Nitin Gadkari had talked about it. The commercial use of the river will provide finance for the cleaning and upkeep of the river. Whenever I visit Sydney in Australia, I always prefer river ferry over road transport. Delhi can inspire similar usable water ways between Mathura and Agra as well.
Health services need immediate uplift. Non operative Mohalla clinics should be eliminated. Ayushman Bharat scheme needs to be implemented. Shortage of doctors and other staff to be addressed.
Educational infrastructure is failing students. It is more difficult to get admission in general courses of Delhi university then getting admission in an engineering college. To reap the Benefits of National educational policy 2020 Delhi has to expand its educational resources.
Financial hub and centre for holding international conferences.
If India has to realise the dream of becoming leading economy of the world Delhi has to evolve as a meeting place of choice, it has to reinvent itself as a Davos of India. It has the potential! The city already hosts several high-profile international events, such as the World Economic Forum's India Economic Summit. The adverse pollution and other advisory hurt this potential. The famous Chandni chowk has been handed over to Beggers and homeless in the name of beautification. The space created should be used to create food courts and handicraft markets.
Conclusion.
Delhi needs a chief minister, who can exhibit the skills and determination similar to erstwhile prime minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew. The challenges and opportunities demand such a leader. Yamuna river bed needs the transformation done in Singapore. Can BJP dream of beating Singapore in civic amenities and per capita income? If yes! Then the article can be concluded with the shloka 19 from chapter 3 of Bhagwat Geeta Bhagavad Gita Shloka 3.19 which emphasises the value of maintaining objectivity while carrying out our responsibilities:
तस्मादसक्त: सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर |
असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पूरुष: || 19||
tasmād asaktaḥ satataṁ kāryaṁ karma samāchara
asakto hyācharan karma param āpnoti pūruṣhaḥ
It highlights that rather than worrying about the outcome, perform actions as a matter of duty because by working without being attached to the fruits, one attains the Supreme.
By Rakesh Kumar
(The content of this article reflects the views of writers and contributors, not necessarily those of the publisher and editor. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only)
Comments (1)
R
Beautifully written & very nicely explained article.I found as these are my own thoughts written by the writer.