The anarchist republic of Arvind Kejriwal

Smita Barooah14 Jan 2014 

Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, recently held a much hyped Janata Durbar at the secretariat. The idea of such a durbar is not new since many others including Mamata Banerjee and Sushil Modi, have had similar public interactions over the years. What was new was the unprecedented chaos and near-stampede that forced Kejriwal to hastily abandon the event. The episode seemed symbolic of AAPs functioning thus far – big hype followed by poor delivery.
The debate about AAP has mostly focussed around the mundane till now. Discussions are about whether or not party members will take security cover, live in Government bungalows and so on. However, what really needs to be discussed is the issue of governance on which the party came to power. All other matters are peripheral.

State-sanctioned vigilantism

So far, AAP’s governance has been about proposing or implementing plans that are illogical, regressive and often illegal. Many go against existing regulations, or are beyond the Delhi Government’s jurisdiction. Thus, the model seems like a blueprint for anarchy rather than a sensible, workable plan.

Alarm bells first began to ring after the new Health Minister dismantled hospital panels (Rogi Kalyan Samitis). AAP volunteers then walked in to run a parallel administration, causing great disruption. Undeterred, the Education Ministry is now recruiting ‘volunteers’ to monitor schools . The problem with such activism is that volunteer bases lack basic inbuilt checks which even flawed systems have. How does one control arbitrary actions by people who have no institutional status or authority? What happens when volunteers exceed their brief and misuse power? The system is scarily reminiscent of West Bengal, where similar action by CPM cadres slowly destroyed institutions and eventually a State.

The bad ideas

A notable aspect of the AAP model has been the systematic slew of bad ideas. For instance, there is a proposal to reserve 90 per cent of the seats in Delhi University for locals. While this move will open up more seats for Delhi students, it will penalise other meritorious students from across India. In particular, it will affect students from the North-Eastern States who have limited regional options. Delhi University derives vibrancy from its diverse student base and insular moves such as these go against the spirit of our federal Republic. Imagine the chaos if other States in India insist on similar quotas for centrally funded institutions like IITs, IIMs etc? Is this really a trend the national capital wants to set?

There are also reports that AAP is set to withdraw Delhi Police’s power to fine auto rickshaw drivers who turn down passengers, violate permit laws, do not wear their uniform or refuse to go by meter. This blatantly populist move will reward the auto-drivers’ lobby for their support, at the cost of the aam admi, who are at the receiving end of arbitrary fares and harassment. Isn’t AAP’s tacit encouragement of such unprofessional behaviour a form of political corruption?

If you think the auto rickshaw plan is problematic, consider Kejriwal’s proposal to waive 10 months of electricity bills for defaulters and pilferers. By excusing non-compliance, the move will not only set a bad precedent, it will be unfair to honest citizens. Those who already pay taxes will essentially be doubly penalised to subsidise laggers. Is there any logic to this injustice?

On national issues, there are even more worrying ideas. For example, senior leader Prashant Bhushan advocates a referendum on the Army presence in Kashmir, and deployment of paramilitary forces against the Maoists. The party claims these are personal views.

Is a meaningful referendum feasible given the warlike situation prevailing in these areas? In Kashmir, will the vote include people in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir? Will the Kashmiri Pandits be relocated back in order to have a say? In the Red Corridor where Maoists wield control by the barrel of the gun, is it possible for unarmed government agencies to hold free elections? If referendums are the only solution, will the Maoists accept a vote on them giving up guns?

The intellectual dishonesty

Each of the above-mentioned proposals is ill-conceived but equally, they suggest intellectual dishonesty. The party is proposing these measures knowing fully well that the Delhi State Government does not have the power to act on them. Surely AAP is aware that Delhi University is a Central University and “the Delhi Government has no role except giving grants to colleges and nominating members to the governing bodies (of the colleges it funds)”. Therefore it has no legitimacy to implement the reservation plan.

With regards to the auto rickshaws, the transport department had delegated the job to the Delhi Police, following a Supreme Court order. Delhi police falls outside State jurisdiction. Reversing roles would require an order passed through the Lieutenant Governor who is appointed by the Central Government. Moreover, the transport department has said that it doesn’t have the manpower to check violations by auto-drivers if police support is withdrawn. Yet, the Transport Commissioner Arvind Ray was replaced by AAP for opposing the move.

Similarly, the electricity tariff waiver plan is also “illegal as per the 2003 Electricity Act”. Power tariffs cannot be brought down arbitrarily, and can only be implemented after the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has followed due process. In any case, a public backlash has now forced Kejriwal to backtrack and claim that the proposal is still under consideration.

On the issue of referendums on internal security issues, the Delhi Government does not have any say in the first instance. It is for the State in question, and the Central Government to decide on the matter. For a political leader to make arbitrary statements on such sensitive matters is irresponsible.
Going by the current trend, it is increasingly apparent that issues like legality, practicality or even jurisdiction seem to be minor technicalities for AAP. As far as they are concerned, their rule in Delhi allows them to dictate on all matters, across India. Mercifully, many of the moves will be challenged and stalled. However, the concern is about the anarchist tendencies that underlie the repeated attempts to override due process and overreach their mandate.

Unless AAP is willing to amend its disruptive populism and pious arrogance, Delhi as we know it will cease to exit. It will become the new Kolkata, which declined under similar foolhardy and regressive schemes. All citizens who are willing to sit by and allow that happen should at least visit the former cultural and commercial capital of India.

Source: http://www.niticentral.com/2014/01/14/the-anarchist-republic-of-arvind-kejriwal-179217.html