Kejriwal favours debate on President's remark

"I am happy that this is being debated now," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said while reacting to President Pranab Mukherjee’s veiled criticism of the Aam Aadmi Party

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday favoured a healthy and all encompassing debate in public and among political parties on the President Pranab Mukherjee’s remark "populist anarchy cannot be a substitute for governance".

In his customary Republic Day eve address, Mr. Mukherjee made the comment that "the government is not a charity shop’’ and also cautioned against hypocrisy in public life. "Elections do not give any person the licence to flirt with illusions. Those who seek the trust of voters must promise only what is possible," the President said in an apparent reference to the newbie AAP.

When asked about his comments on the President’s observation and note of caution, Mr. Kejriwal who attended the customary At Home reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan said: "This is one view which was expressed by the President. There should be open discussion and debate on it. This will also be healthy for our democracy."

Referring to his two-day protest sit-in near Rajpath demanding action against erring police personnel in Delhi, Mr. Kejriwal told journalists that his `dharna’ was to demand accountability of the police.

"I and my government are here to ensure safety of the people, particularly women, in the Capital. Whatever we are doing is happening for the first time, we are taking up issues of common people. Our attempt is not to weaken democratic institutions but to strengthen them and make them transparent and accountable to the people,’’ the Chief Minister who took over reins of the Delhi government barely a month ago said. AAP’s government in Delhi has been extended unconditional outside support by the Congress.

Senior AAP leader Yogendra Yadav said last night that the President's speech was not about AAP. ``I have full belief that President must have greater things in his mind. When he talks about anarchy, he looks towards the nation. The country faces challenges of authoritarianism and dynasty politics. I am sure the President meant the larger situation in the country,’’ Mr. Yadav had said.

However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slammed Mr. Kejriwal for staging the dharna outside Rail Bhavan defying prohibitory orders.

BJP president Rajnath Singh said his party welcomed President's remark that indirectly referred to AAP. Mr. Singh also welcomed President’s observation about the need for a stable government at the Centre.

Not anarchy, this is democracy: Kejriwal

While the media persons wanted to gauge his response to the use of the word “anarchy” in the President’s address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day, which was to ostensibly in reference to the Aam Aadmi Party’s protests, the guests mostly had words of praise for the newly-appointed Chief Minister. A few wasted no time to pour out a list of complaints to the Chief Minister.

Mr. Kejriwal patiently answered questions, thanked people for their support, gave an explanation for the hard line his colleagues have taken and even listened to copious amounts of advice. He did not lose his poise even when some guests were vociferous in their criticism of his protest and politics.

“I don’t think what we are doing is anarchy, but this is democracy and everyone is entitled to their view,” he told The Hindu. On his interaction with the President he said: “We just wished each other…we haven’t had a chance to talk so far.”

Guests could be seen queuing up to greet the Chief Minister, who was accompanied by his wife and cabinet colleagues Manish Sisodia, Somanth Bharti and Rakhi Birla.

One of the guests who turned up with a request for an appointment with the Chief Minister was Germany's Ambassador to India who wanted told Mr. Kejriwal of his President's wish to meet him.

The German Ambassador, Michael Steiner was heard telling Mr. Kejriwal President

Joachim Gauck who is scheduled to visit India would like an interaction with him, but his office had declined the meeting.

President Mukherjee who is known to step out to security cover to greet his guests was seen mingling with the crowds. Japanese Prime Shinzo Abe who was the Guest of Honour at the Parade also interacted with the guests.

Other dignitaries who were present for the At Home hosted in the verdant Mughal Garden were Vice President Hamid Ansari, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Union Ministers AK Anthony, Salman Khurshid, BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and a host of senior leaders

Keywords: President's address, Republic Day eve address, AAP politics, populism, Arvind Kejriwal regime