The big mess in Delhi

How is it possible that a party which wins 67 of the 70 seats in an assembly can make the kind of mess that Delhi is witnessing? There might be some merit to Arvind Kejriwal’s claim that the Central Government is trying to render him ineffective, but much of the blame rests with him. For one, without a police force or land under his control, as is the case in Delhi, it is important for him to temper down his party’s rebellious (and agitationary) fervour and instead look at what is possible within limits. Good politicians know the art of the possible.

Kejriwal does not. Then there is the necessity of idealists being squeaky clean. And Delhi’s ex-law minister Jitendra Singh Tomar didn’t do AAP any favours with his alleged fake degrees. Kejriwal has a difficult job, but he only makes it worse by being a revolutionary when unnecessary and compromising at the wrong moments. His sense of timing remains faulty. Till the courts solve Delhi’s impasse, the state will have to endure the absurdity on display.

AAPArvind Kejriwalex-law ministerJitendra Singh Tomar