Many would argue that it is wrong to use the term Modi vs Kejriwal. After all, the former is Prime Minister of India, with 13 years experience as a chief minister and decades as a political worker. The later has a stunning electoral victory in February 2015 and lots of theatrics to his credit ledger. But then, Arvind Kejriwal is the chief minister of Delhi, a city that gets embarrassingly disproportionate coverage in the "national" media. There is no doubt that there would not be so much brouhaha if the Puducherry chief minister complains about interference by the Lt Governor Kiran Bedi. But Najeeb Jung is Lt Governor of Delhi and every time Arvind Kejriwal accuses him of interference and worse, it becomes headline news.
But one thing is clear. The High Court verdict has delivered a judicial slap to Kejriwal and his government. For all practical purposes, the verdict states that Kejriwal rules over a glorified municipality that will remain under the thumb of the central government through its appointed Lt Governor. The Kejriwal government had approached the Delhi High Court after Lt Governor Najeeb countermanded a series of decisions taken by his cabinet. The basic contention of the Kejriwal government was that it must be allowed to function like other popularly elected state governments. The High Court has pronounced that the Constitution as it stands doesn't permit that. Aam Aadmi Party leaders have already announced that they will appeal in the Supreme Court. But the fact is that the verdict is a jolt for AAP and Kejriwal who constantly complain that the Modi regime is allowing them to function. AAP supporters and sympathizers might say this is unfair. It does appear unfair since Delhi voters gave an overwhelming mandate to Kejriwal and AAP. But unless the Parliament changes the constitutional provisions, Delhi could well remain a glorified municipality. In yet another verdict, the Delhi High Court has set aside the enquiry commissions set up by the Kejriwal government to look into the alleged CNG and DDCA scams.
Clearly not a happy day for Kejriwal who is on a ten day Vipaasna break. Modi supporters have started cheering and celebrating the verdict. Even "non-partisan" observers who are exasperated with the manner in which Kejriwal constantly launches personal attacks on Modi think this is a timely juridical slap for an over ambitious and over the top Kejriwal who wants to become prime minister in 2019. But Modi fans also need to pause and think as they jeer Kejriwal and cheer their hero. Politics has a lot to do with perceptions. And while Kejriwal has indeed behaved in a childish and often churlish manner, there are many who think that the Modi government has been no less cussed when it comes to dealing with AAP. As many as 12 MLAs of the party have been arrested. In no other state would so many MLAS face prompt arrest for alleged crimes. AAP leaders don't spare any opportunity to point out how a "vindictive" Modi regime is trying to destroy their party.
If enough people and voters believe that the Modi government is unfairly targeting AAP, it is Kejriwal who might have the last laugh. Do remember, a large number of voters in 2014 were convinced that the UPA regime was unfairly targeting and hounding Modi.
