Rise and rise of Arvind Kejriwal

Did you, dear friends, even for a flimsy second then think that this, once blue-eyed boy of Anna Hazare, would be the CM of Delhi? Not just that. A shrewd, wily politician who would extend his reach to Punjab? Pose a threat in Himachal and Gujarat? And even look the BJP in the face and give it shivers as one who might one day stop its juggernaut rolling defiantly over almost whole Bharatvarsh?

I never did.

Arvind Kejriwal is indeed a politician who has mastered the art of playing his political cards with cunning and deftness so essential to survive and thrive in the no-holds-barred, bloody, thrust-and-parry mortal combat in the political ring. Otherwise starting from scratch with zero cadre strength, no financial muscle and no goons/gundas/machines to unleash fear among the defenseless innocent poor, how could have he stayed afloat in the choppy, turbid waters of politics?

If the BJP played the Ram card, he hit upon the Hanuman ploy. For the “Jai Shri Ram” slogans, he had the “Jai Hanuman” and Hanuman Chalisa chants to counter the pseudo-religious narrative. Ditto for the freebies: “if my adversaries can be recklessly munificent with taxpayers’ money, why, then, let me doubly be so!” he must have reasoned.

Kejriwal also knows that countering Modiji’s powerful oratory by aggressive rhetoric would be counterproductive and only boomerang on him. In fact his initial attempts to do so proved a disaster. Quick to learn, he changed tack. Recall his recent speech in the assembly on ‘Kashmir files’. He spoke gently, softly; and spicing his words with wit and humour, firing salvo after salvo, he neutralized the political mileage being sought by playing the emotional card out of the movie, with stunning finesse.  It was indeed a masterstroke. I wish Rahul Gandhi learnt a lesson or two from him in the subtle art of public speaking, and how to give it back.

Kejriwal also has his ears to the ground and has been able to set some developmental priorities right. His work on health and school education is innovative and has gone down well with the Delhiites ensuring him a second term. No mean task this, with the Congress and the BJP breathing down his neck to grab power in the national capital –   the ‘nagarvadhu’ coveted and courted by all the political bigwigs.

With Punjab in his kitty, will Kejriwal conquer Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh? Too preposterous to hazard guesses, I reckon. But given his political genius and a smart battery of advisers he has, that dapper guy Raghav Chadha included, he could indeed spring a surprise.

Mr Kejriwal, I sense, may be fancying his chances in Himachal as a fairer bet. The Congress, post the Virbhadhra Singh era is in disarray. Pity, no second rung leader who could hold statewide sway was groomed and nurtured – thanks to the Congress’s myopia and the humongous ego of you know who. As regards the BJP, the anti-incumbency factor could play a spoilsport.

If Kejriwal can bring up a tall, charismatic leader from the largest district Kangra to lead the show, AAP might upset the BJP’s applecart.

How about Major Vijai Singh Mankotia hogging the headlines of late? He is spotless, has the charisma, a powerful voice, zeal, guts, idealism. The caste factor too works in his favour. I for one would put my money on him.

Speaking of politics/politicians, and dreaming of beautiful green Himachal and great India, I quote Sahir:

अपने अन्दर झाँक मेरे वतन,

तेरी बरबादियों का तुझे वास्ता

ढूंढ अपने लिए कोई नया रास्ता

अपने अन्दर झाँक …

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