A banal white wall, non-descript office furniture and the Delhi Chief Minister sitting in front of a camera talking about how his life could be under threat from Prime Minister Modi.
Arvind Kejriwal looked like he was in a corner, with his back against the wall, both literally and figuratively. But lets keep in mind that this was at the Delhi Chief Minister’s office, not a detention centre. So, the setting for the nearly 10-minute-long video addressing Aam Aadmi Party workers was perfect to convey the sense of persecution that Arvind Kejriwal was apparently feeling.
The Isolation of Arvind Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal’s political entry and survival depends on him being viewed as anti-establishment. Which is why he tweets constantly and furiously against Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi and other investigative agencies like the CBI and the ACB. His aim is to be seen as a prime challenger to Prime Minister Modi. If not electorally, at least in the media and public mind space. In fact, his successful occupation of that slot has made even the principal opposition Congress look inefficient.
This dogged anti-establishment stance has, however, also resulted in Arvind Kejriwal’s political isolation. Consider the fact that not one opposition party, not even Nitish or Lalu, with whom he’s shared the stage in the run up to the Bihar elections, have spoken out against the serial arrests of AAP MLAs.
Arvind Kejriwal’s history as a ‘shoot and scoot’ anti-corruption activist and unpredictability make him a dangerous political ally. Even before India Against Corruption took on a political form, it was accused, by both the BJP and Congress of being each other’s B-team. If one were to consider future alliances, the Aam Aadmi Party is unlikely to find a spot with Sonia, Nitish, Jayalalithaa, Mulayam or Mayawati.
In that sense, the Aam Aadmi Party is an political island unto itself. And at a time the party’s looking to expand its footprint in Punjab, Goa and Gujarat, it needs to stay relevant, it needs to stay in the news.
What’s bound to get you more attention that claiming a sitting Prime Minister could kill you and your party men?
Does the “Victim Card” Work?
“Indian politicians are out of touch with the currents of the world, and continue to be comfortable in a realm where India plays the victim”, Fareed Zakaria told The Indian Express.
The renowned columnist was referring to India’s foreign policy, but he could well have been describing its domestic politics.
In 1980, Indira Gandhi, who was jailed only for a day in an alleged corruption case, convinced the Indian electorate that she was the victim of a political conspiracy and swept to power just three years after she imposed the Emergency.
More recently, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi appeared before the Patiala House Court in the National Herald case and claimed to be the victim of political vendetta.
And despite being in government, the BJP plays the victim card each time the Opposition stalls an important legislation in the Rajya Sabha.
In playing the victim card, Arvind Kejriwal is not just baying for public sympathy, he’s also manufacturing a scapegoat in advance. It also guarantees a ready-made explanation in the eventuality of defeat.
Of the eleven AAP MLAs who’ve been arrested, only one – Somnath Bharti has been chargesheeted for domestic violence and abuse. Only one MLA is still in custody.
Arvind Kejriwal has a strong case. But in claiming Modi could kill him or his MLAs, he has returned to activist mode, in a manner of speaking.
The ‘Dharna Kumar’ in Arvind Kejriwal will have to tread a not-so-fine line between a paranoid social media joke and a serious politician.
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