27.1.14

Of "Populist Anarchy" & a "Charity Shop"....

A day after President Pranab Mukherjee’s reference to “populist anarchy’’, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said it would consider his views and was happy that a debate had been generated on whether an elected government sitting on dharna was constitutional or not.
When asked about Mukherjee’s remark on “populist anarchy’’ not being a substitute for governance, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said, "I am happy that this is being debated now.”
The President had also said that government was not a “charity shop’’, an indirect reference to the recent subsidy given to power consumers by the AAP-led Delhi government. Kejriwal said, “It is the President's or the Centre's point of view and we will consider it. But I am happy that at least a debate has kicked off on whether a dharna by chief minister leads to a constitutional crisis or not."
"Please look at the newspapers. Some are in favour and some are critical and a healthy debate is always very good in a democracy," Kejriwal added.
These statements are in contrast to the line taken by the party on Saturday night. Hours after the President’s RDay address, chief spokesperson Yogendra Yadav said, "I have full belief that President must have greater things on his mind. When he talks about anarchy, he looks towards the nation. He must be thinking about what is happening in Gujarat, Punjab and the entire country.’’
He also tweeted, “Surely a gross misreading to imagine that President's address refers to AAP. His Excellency is above petty, partisan politics!’’
Asked whether he was undermining the importance of institutions like the police by staging protest, Kejriwal said, "All I want is that the people in the national capital should feel safe. Now, this is not an unconstitutional demand that I am making. I am more bothered about safety and providing basic amenities to my people."

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