By far, Arvind Kejriwal easily qualifies as the Man of the Year in India.
His achievement - Arvind Kejriwal has single-handed changed the way Indians think about politics and politicians.
The man has been crusading for more than a decade against corruption in government offices. I am sure many must not have taken him seriously when he formed his Aam Admi Party (AAP), but he has proved his mantle.
It is alleged that AAP is the only party that did not use any unfair means to contest the poll.
AAP has exceeded all expectations. The nascent party has bagged 28 seats in Delhi in the state elections that were held in December his year. Even though the party failed to get majority scenario evolved such that it has formed the government in the state.
On 28th December 2013, he has been sworn-in as Delhi's Chief Minister.
His achievement - Kejriwal has become the symbol of clean and good representation in Indian politics.
Showing posts with label Arvind Kerjiwal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arvind Kerjiwal. Show all posts
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Finally - Indian Parliament passes Lokpal Bill
Finally! Yes finally - almost four decades - Indian Parliament finally clears the Lokpal Bill.
The demand for an ombudsman to investigate and punish errant public servants was first raised by Jaiprakash Narayan in the seventies. Jayprakash Narayan popularly referred to as JP had launched a movement to fight against corruption and misrule is 1974.
The demand for Lokpal once again picked up steam in 2010 when Shanti Bhushan, Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and others came together under the stewardship of Kisan Baburao (Anna) Hazare of Nanded.
Anna has overall sat on hunger strike 18 times out of which the last four fasts have been for getting the Jan Lokpal Bill passed by parliament.
April 2011 -Anna fasted for 5 day at New Delhi.
August 2011 - Anna fasted for 13 days again at New Delhi. This proved to be a turning point in Indian politics. People came to the streets in all parts of the country in support of Anna Hazare and Lokpal. Prime Minister and the whole parliament came together and promised Anna that the Lokpal would be passed at the earliest.
December 2011 - At Mumbai - Anna fasted for 2 days.
December 2013 - Probably the last fast by Anna for Lokpal Bill. This was Anna's 18th fast in all and lasted for 9 days. This time the government bowed and the Lokpal Bill as passed by both houses of parliament.
But by this time, Arvind Kejriwal who had been a key person in Anna's Lokpal campaign had left his side. Kejriwal had formed his own political party. His party had contested in the Delhi State Polls - an election in which the Congress Party was miserably trounced.
Although the Bill passed by parliament is not exactly what Anna Hazare had set out for, yet Anna has accepted the Bill in its current form with the confidence that coming parliamentarians will introduce modifications based the experiences gathered.
The demand for an ombudsman to investigate and punish errant public servants was first raised by Jaiprakash Narayan in the seventies. Jayprakash Narayan popularly referred to as JP had launched a movement to fight against corruption and misrule is 1974.
The demand for Lokpal once again picked up steam in 2010 when Shanti Bhushan, Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and others came together under the stewardship of Kisan Baburao (Anna) Hazare of Nanded.
Anna has overall sat on hunger strike 18 times out of which the last four fasts have been for getting the Jan Lokpal Bill passed by parliament.
Anna's Fasts for Lokpal
April 2011 -Anna fasted for 5 day at New Delhi.
August 2011 - Anna fasted for 13 days again at New Delhi. This proved to be a turning point in Indian politics. People came to the streets in all parts of the country in support of Anna Hazare and Lokpal. Prime Minister and the whole parliament came together and promised Anna that the Lokpal would be passed at the earliest.
December 2011 - At Mumbai - Anna fasted for 2 days.
December 2013 - Probably the last fast by Anna for Lokpal Bill. This was Anna's 18th fast in all and lasted for 9 days. This time the government bowed and the Lokpal Bill as passed by both houses of parliament.
But by this time, Arvind Kejriwal who had been a key person in Anna's Lokpal campaign had left his side. Kejriwal had formed his own political party. His party had contested in the Delhi State Polls - an election in which the Congress Party was miserably trounced.
The Bill
Although the Bill passed by parliament is not exactly what Anna Hazare had set out for, yet Anna has accepted the Bill in its current form with the confidence that coming parliamentarians will introduce modifications based the experiences gathered.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
BJP voted out of power in Karnataka Polls
I have strongly believed that performance of political parties matters.
This has been proven once again in the Karnataka Polls. BJP had demonstrated a lot of in-fighting and misrule in the State. Corruption, Illegal Mining, Peer Fighting - the party was highlighted in the media for all the wrong reasons.
So, it is quite natural that the people demonstrate their anger where they can and the results have spoken today.
Another election where this performance theory was proven right is the Gujarat Polls. The voters voted Narendra Modi back to power in response to all the positive environment that was created in response to his development based administration.
Once again a demonstration that performance matters.
Next - Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi are in queue. These states are supposed to go to polls before 2013 ends.
Here is how I perceive the political scenario.
I believe that in Delhi, the Congress government has been in the news more for the wrong reasons than the right.
Sheila Dixit must combat the gloomy corruption-ridden perception of the Congress-led UPA government in the Center and the insensitive image of the government in the state.
The biggest factor being the way issue of security of women has been handled. To top it, Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been constantly nagging it for its insensitive price rise of electricity and water.
Sheila Dixit will be leading the Congress government to polls for the 4th time. It remains to be seen whether she stills retains public trust.
I feel that even he will be leading his party to polls on a development-based campaign. If selected by his party, he will be leading his party in the state elections for the 2nd time.
This has been proven once again in the Karnataka Polls. BJP had demonstrated a lot of in-fighting and misrule in the State. Corruption, Illegal Mining, Peer Fighting - the party was highlighted in the media for all the wrong reasons.
So, it is quite natural that the people demonstrate their anger where they can and the results have spoken today.
Another election where this performance theory was proven right is the Gujarat Polls. The voters voted Narendra Modi back to power in response to all the positive environment that was created in response to his development based administration.
Once again a demonstration that performance matters.
Next - Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi are in queue. These states are supposed to go to polls before 2013 ends.
Here is how I perceive the political scenario.
Delhi Polls
I believe that in Delhi, the Congress government has been in the news more for the wrong reasons than the right.
Sheila Dixit must combat the gloomy corruption-ridden perception of the Congress-led UPA government in the Center and the insensitive image of the government in the state.
The biggest factor being the way issue of security of women has been handled. To top it, Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been constantly nagging it for its insensitive price rise of electricity and water.
Sheila Dixit will be leading the Congress government to polls for the 4th time. It remains to be seen whether she stills retains public trust.
Madhya Pradesh (MP)
Shivraj Singh Chauhan has not been much in the news for the wrong reasons.I feel that even he will be leading his party to polls on a development-based campaign. If selected by his party, he will be leading his party in the state elections for the 2nd time.
Chhattisgarh
Dr. Raman Singh to has managed to keep his team of politicians away from the negative media. He has a development model to display.- The creation of new districts.
- Naya Raipur.
- Free Pilgrimage.
- Many-fold increase in the use of Information Technology.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Coalgate Independent Investigation - the Role of CBI and of the Government
The recent fiasco of the UPA regime came to the fore when reports of Government interference in the preparation of the Status Report by CBI on Coal Mine scam were published in the media.
The anti-corruption movement by Anna Hazare was started on the very premise that there should be an independent investigation agency devoid of any government interference. An investigating agency that would be free to investigate and prosecute anyone irrespective of position and status.
The recent developments,
The Government of India had already given clear indications that it was not going to do anything to take action against the corrupt. The way action was taken against campaigners like Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdeo are glaring examples.
In fact, it has done all in its power to protect the high-profile accused. It is very disappointing.
We can only hope things improve.
The anti-corruption movement by Anna Hazare was started on the very premise that there should be an independent investigation agency devoid of any government interference. An investigating agency that would be free to investigate and prosecute anyone irrespective of position and status.
The recent developments,
- starting with the revelation of the fact that the Coalgate investigation report was shared with the law minister,
- the accusing letter from Additional Solicitor General Harin Raval addressed to Attorney General GE Vahanvati
- followed by Supreme Court's observations that the CBI need not take instructions from political masters,
The Government of India had already given clear indications that it was not going to do anything to take action against the corrupt. The way action was taken against campaigners like Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdeo are glaring examples.
In fact, it has done all in its power to protect the high-profile accused. It is very disappointing.
We can only hope things improve.
Friday, December 28, 2012
2012 - Who grew in Indian Politics?
2012 has been a busy year for Indian Politics.
Swami Ramdev, Anna Hazare, Arvind Kejriwal are some of the new names that have emerged on the political front during the course of 2012. Each of these three got prominence due the government's apparent inaction in tackling corruption and black money.
Swami Ramdev and Anna Hazare got great public support for their campaign against black money and corruption. But, the ruling Congress-led coalition managed to suppress their movements. The government managed to successfully put Swami Ramdev on the back foot, while Anna Hazare's campaign lost its sheen as Anna was apparently not able to recover fully from the effects of his hunger fast.
Arvind Kejriwal once a member of Team Anna has not yet given up. He is still going strong. He and his colleagues have launched a political party - Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). They are still gunning for a strong Lokpal bill. and are even willing to contest in the next elections, if necessary.
Other names that stole the limelight and grew in stature during 2012 are Narendra Modi, Akhilesh Yadav.
In Narendra Modi become the Chief Minister of Gujarat for the fourth time. In December he chalked his hat-trick - his third consecutive victory in the Gujarat Assembly polls.It was a big year for Narendra Modi himself when he was praised for the development work that he has done in the state during his tenure.
Narendra Modi's stature grew so much that he has almost become BJP's next Prime Ministerial Candidate for the next General Elections. The General Elections are originally due in 2014, but many political experts have publicly predicted that the nation could go to polls in 2013 itself.
In 2012, Akhilesh Yadav became the youngest Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh when his party ousted Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party. A lot was promised during the elections and a lot is expected from this young Chief Minister.
Swami Ramdev, Anna Hazare, Arvind Kejriwal are some of the new names that have emerged on the political front during the course of 2012. Each of these three got prominence due the government's apparent inaction in tackling corruption and black money.
Swami Ramdev and Anna Hazare got great public support for their campaign against black money and corruption. But, the ruling Congress-led coalition managed to suppress their movements. The government managed to successfully put Swami Ramdev on the back foot, while Anna Hazare's campaign lost its sheen as Anna was apparently not able to recover fully from the effects of his hunger fast.
Arvind Kejriwal once a member of Team Anna has not yet given up. He is still going strong. He and his colleagues have launched a political party - Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). They are still gunning for a strong Lokpal bill. and are even willing to contest in the next elections, if necessary.
Other names that stole the limelight and grew in stature during 2012 are Narendra Modi, Akhilesh Yadav.
In Narendra Modi become the Chief Minister of Gujarat for the fourth time. In December he chalked his hat-trick - his third consecutive victory in the Gujarat Assembly polls.It was a big year for Narendra Modi himself when he was praised for the development work that he has done in the state during his tenure.
Narendra Modi's stature grew so much that he has almost become BJP's next Prime Ministerial Candidate for the next General Elections. The General Elections are originally due in 2014, but many political experts have publicly predicted that the nation could go to polls in 2013 itself.
In 2012, Akhilesh Yadav became the youngest Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh when his party ousted Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party. A lot was promised during the elections and a lot is expected from this young Chief Minister.
Friday, November 9, 2012
HSBC - Home Service for Swiss Banking!
The disclosures made by Kejriwal's against HSBC at today's (9-Nov-2012) press conference have very far reaching and serious implications.
It has been alleged that an international HSBC has provided door-service for
All the account holders had to was make a phone call and everything was done for them at their doorstep.
According to the allegations crores and crores of funds have moved in and out of the country without even having the account holders to even leave their house.
Can the average Indian citizen even imagine of opening a saving account so easily!!
Terrorists, criminals and corrupt rich could deploy their funds wherever they wanted.
Frightening - very frightening
USA had already taken cognizance of this functioning of HSBC and hauled up the bank earlier. It seems that US have even warned the Indian Government about this. A warning that had been casually brushed aside.
It has been alleged that an international HSBC has provided door-service for
- opening accounts
- collecting and transferring funds to the Swiss accounts
- receiving funds from the Swiss accounts and delivering them as and where sought by the account holders.
All the account holders had to was make a phone call and everything was done for them at their doorstep.
According to the allegations crores and crores of funds have moved in and out of the country without even having the account holders to even leave their house.
Can the average Indian citizen even imagine of opening a saving account so easily!!
Implications
This means that a person could transfer funds from any place to any place through HSBC's Swiss Account with complete anonymity. No wonder so much black money is able to circulate in the system causing so much harm to the entire world.Terrorists, criminals and corrupt rich could deploy their funds wherever they wanted.
Frightening - very frightening
USA had already taken cognizance of this functioning of HSBC and hauled up the bank earlier. It seems that US have even warned the Indian Government about this. A warning that had been casually brushed aside.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Is the charisma of Arvind Kejriwal waning?
India's fast track crusader against corruption, Arvind Kejriwal, has certainly managed to catch the attention of the Indian masses.
He has directly attacked India's top political family - Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law and other top politicians. Opposition leader Nitin Gadkari 's business activities too came under public scrutiny after Arvind spoke against him. Now, his latest allegations against Mukesh Ambani and his flagship company Reliance Industries Ltd have once again raised the issue of corruption at high places.
All this certainly has caught everyone's attention. He has just reinforced everyone's belief the corruption is rooted in India in a big way, but it is fast becoming evident that even he can not do much to get the guilty punished.
So now it remains to be seen how long Arvind Kejriwal is able to retain all this attention. Even during the last revelation against Mukesh Ambani, we noticed that there wasn't much enthusiasm in way the people have reacted.
My question is... Is Arvind's charm is wearing off? and my own take is Yes!
The common man does not need any more revelations. He knows how deep routed the corruption is in this country. He is too busy working hard for his next meal to care about revelations and accusation.
He has directly attacked India's top political family - Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law and other top politicians. Opposition leader Nitin Gadkari 's business activities too came under public scrutiny after Arvind spoke against him. Now, his latest allegations against Mukesh Ambani and his flagship company Reliance Industries Ltd have once again raised the issue of corruption at high places.
All this certainly has caught everyone's attention. He has just reinforced everyone's belief the corruption is rooted in India in a big way, but it is fast becoming evident that even he can not do much to get the guilty punished.
So now it remains to be seen how long Arvind Kejriwal is able to retain all this attention. Even during the last revelation against Mukesh Ambani, we noticed that there wasn't much enthusiasm in way the people have reacted.
My question is... Is Arvind's charm is wearing off? and my own take is Yes!
The common man does not need any more revelations. He knows how deep routed the corruption is in this country. He is too busy working hard for his next meal to care about revelations and accusation.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Action against the protestors - Nothing against the corrupt
A couple of days back, TV news channel Aaj Tak did a story on the
misdoings of a trust in UP. The news anchors on the channel alleged
that the trust run by Salman Khurshid and his wife is involved in
siphoning off around Rs. 71 lacs of aid money by submitting forged
documents.
According to the internal "departmental" investigations - a lot of papers were submitted with forged signatures and seals of officials in Uttar Pradesh, with the help of which money earmarked to provide aid-n-appliances for the persons with disabilities was siphoned off. The news also showed copies of letters from the UP government to the central government where in they have confirmed that the signatures and seals were forged.
In today's era of multi-crore scams this amount is chicken feed, but still the story was important because Salman Khurshid is India's Law Minister.
Although it remains to be seen who is guilty in the matter, there certainly has been foul play.
Today, on 12 Oct 2012, Arvind Kejriwal was arrested - or should I say detained - because he was protesting against this crime against humanity.
According to the internal "departmental" investigations - a lot of papers were submitted with forged signatures and seals of officials in Uttar Pradesh, with the help of which money earmarked to provide aid-n-appliances for the persons with disabilities was siphoned off. The news also showed copies of letters from the UP government to the central government where in they have confirmed that the signatures and seals were forged.
In today's era of multi-crore scams this amount is chicken feed, but still the story was important because Salman Khurshid is India's Law Minister.
Although it remains to be seen who is guilty in the matter, there certainly has been foul play.
Today, on 12 Oct 2012, Arvind Kejriwal was arrested - or should I say detained - because he was protesting against this crime against humanity.
Is it not an irony?
Action is being taken against the person who is just demanding action against the people involved in the matter. Even after three days of exposing this scandal, no action has been taken against the people who run the trust. Not even an inquiry has been announced.
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