A new front has been opened by the Opposition against the Narendra Modi government with open support to Delhi Chief Minister, Arvin Kejriwal from a group of four chief ministers. Kejriwal is fighting for survival in the capital. While the Congress is not part of the attempt to save Kejriwal from a difficult situation, it’s notable that a reinforcement of the unity against the BJP and PM Narendra Modi was evident in Delhi in the past two days. It strengthens the mood for a united fight against the Saffron side in the General Elections a year ahead.
Arvind Kejriwal is understandably a harried leader. The odd man out in politics has been through a difficult grind ever since he assumed power four years ago. Clearly, enough of cooperation is not coming from the Union Government, mainly for the reason that Kejriwal often asserted his rights as CM or rubbed the rival BJP the wrong way. He has now been on a sit-in at the Lt Governor’s residence in the capital, seeking steps to end a virtual non-cooperation from senior officials. So grave is the situation that they are boycotting meetings
called by the Delhi state ministers. The promise by the Lt Governor that he would sort out matters soon had not materialized. It is likely the officials have tacit support from those at the helm of the central government. These officials being essentially part of the central service seem to gather courage to breach discipline and get away with it. Kejriwal’s recent support to the anti-BJP opposition and his presence at the swearing in of HD Kumaraswamy as
Karnataka Chief Minister, alongside other Opposition stalwarts, might have added to the already strained ties between the Delhi government and the Centre.
The confrontation between Kejriwal and the Centre might only worsen in the months ahead. It however is premature to judge whether Kejriwal’s fight, backed by the Opposition, will help him retain power in Delhi. He has done a good job as CM by pushing several people-friendly steps. These included among other things the affordable electricity charges,
promptness in several civic services and control over corruption. Yet, allegations are also that he has not measured up to the mark in running a city as huge as the capital. The coming months are crucial for him as also for the main rivals, the BJP and the Congress, in the
national capital.