Arvind Kejriwal vs Najeeb Jung: AAP should brace for testing times as L-G ups the ante

It’s payback time for Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung. And the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government in Delhi could be in for tough times. To view the decision of the L-G to appoint a three-member committee to examine as many as 400 files of the Delhi government for lapses, procedural and otherwise, as merely one more episode in the long-running L-G vs Kejriwal battle would be a bit misplaced. In terms of gravitas and possible consequences for the AAP government, it stands out from the rest. The recent high court verdict, which makes unambiguous where exactly both sides stand in the constitutional arrangement, has changed the backdrop of the conflict significantly. It is heavily in favour of the L-G and by extension the central government, which he represents. The ruling makes him the administrative head of Delhi and makes it clear he is not bound by the advice of the council of ministers. All decisions of the government must be communicated to him, it says. Shorn off all illusion of power, the government is on its own now. It is much more susceptible to attacks and much more defenceless. Cry foul howsoever loud it may, it cannot do much in terms of actual action. [caption id=“attachment_2489280” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File photo of Najeeb Jung and Arvind Kejriwal. Reuters[/caption] Now that all its decisions over the last one-and-a half years are open to scrutiny, there are chances of instances of corruption showing up in some of them. The communication from the L-G’s office says, not in exact words, preliminary scrutiny reveals that several such decisions were taken in violation of rules, and that there could be legal and financial implications involved. If the three-member committee, which would submit its report in six weeks, actually detects financial irregularities, it would be a massive blow to the party which loves to be known as anti-corruption crusader. The AAP, which was born amid tremendous popular goodwill for its stand against corruption, has not been particularly spectacular in its achievements, or in the practice of alternative politics which it promised to people. Its image has taken a beating through several charges against its MLAs; if it is found involved in graft it might lose whatever public sympathy it enjoys at this point. Chief Minister Kejriwal has called the L-G’s move a “witch-hunt”, but after crying wolf for so many months, he should have anticipated this. He has taken adversarial politics to a point of no return. He should also be worried about the fact that the L-G has shifted the health secretary. The AAP government’s Mohalla Clinic programme is one of the brightest spots in its tenure so far. Its future could be in jeopardy. The Yogendra Yadav-led Swaraj Abhiyan has raised serious allegations over the issuance of liquor licenses in Delhi. Yadav says while the government claims only six licenses were issued last year, in reality as many as 399 were issued. The committee formed by the L-G might detect irregularity here and land AAP in a spot of bother. Considering the timing when the committee would submit its report, it could have implications on the party’s poll prospects in Punjab. It has managed to build a sizeable mass base in the state, and if poll observers are to be believed, its chances of winning in the next year’s assembly elections are bright. The swell in popular support comes from its anti-corruption image. If the report in Delhi produces something damaging, its impact will be felt in Punjab. Rival parties, so far confused how to take AAP on, might find a strong handle to embarrass it. By all indications, testing times are ahead for the AAP government. The central government might not dismiss it — it has no specific urgency and it would not like to offer martyrdom to the AAP — but would ensure that it shrinks in public perception gradually. The panel constituted by Jung could only be the beginning.