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Anarchy cannot be alternate politics: Arun Jaitley

January 21, 2014 17:38 IST

AAP has displayed scant regard for the Rule of Law…

… the utterances of its leaders lack in civility.

Its conduct is a challenge to constitutionalism.

Arun Jaitley states that it is now clear that alternative politics is anarchy

The past week has been a learning experience. I followed very closely the vision of India espoused by three different leaders.

Rahul Gandhi’s address to the AICC was intended to boost the morale of his party cadres. They appear to be directionless.

The decision not to have a prime ministerial candidate in the present context has put them to a psychological disadvantage. His address was aggressive but without specifics.

Narendra Modi addressing the National Council of the BJP was at his eloquent best.

Political positioning apart, he used the occasion to lay down a positive vision of India.

He raised the level of debate. His address was prime ministerial.

Emphasizing the importance of federalism, his address unfolded his vision of modern and strong India. From agricultural sector to education and health he was full of positive ideas.

Every state must have institutions of excellence such as IIT, IIM and AIIMS. No home in India should be without basic amenities.

The elevation of the Golden Quadrilateral to a Diamond Quadrilateral comprising of highways, industrial corridors and bullet trains with 100 smart cities can change the face of India.

The first right to resources belongs to the poor and the deprived. This address is an important landmark for the BJP’s and Modi’s campaign for 2014.

The third is the politics of the Aam Aadmi Party.

The party was born as a reaction against conventional politics. It promised alternative politics. It is now clear that the alternative politics is anarchy.

This has been admitted by the leader of the AAP.

The demagogue is unambiguous.

In the Lokpal movement, it was argued that the CBI as police of the central government cannot be under the control of the Centre. The same people now argue that the state police must be under the elected representatives of Delhi.

Needless to say, the utterances of its leaders lack in civility.

The party has displayed scant regard for the Rule of Law (in Malviya Nagar), political adventurism, extreme arrogance, lack of civility in public discourse and the least concern for established institutions.

It appeals to the policemen to take off their uniforms and participate in the agitation.

Two decades ago, a fundamentalist group gave a call for boycotting of the Republic Day.

Today a party which aspires to become a national party defacto threatens to disturb the Republic Day.

Its conduct is a challenge to constitutionalism.

Its members comprise of supporters of the separatists in Jammu and Kashmir and the Maoists in Chhatisgarh.

Last year when I heard a phrase ‘Federation of Anarchists’ used in the Rajya Sabha, I doubted very much if anarchists who are not bound by any existing regulations and are highly individualistic can ever have a federation.

I have now discovered the answer. There is on display a ‘Federation of Anarchists’ on the streets of Delhi.

Anarchy cannot be alternate politics.

Arun Jaitley