Kiran Bedi is the need of the time, while Kejriwal is the real future of Delhi.

R N Misra

Delhi needs Kiran Bedi at this hour on various grounds, but this cannot provide any futuristic aspiration or great ambition for the State.

Bedi and Kejriwal belong to the same genus and both genetically are the product of the same crusade of anti-corruption started by Anna Hazare.  Both were agitators, protestors and campaigners, but remained almost apolitical for quite some time like Justice Hedge who too had supported Anna at that time.  While Anna Hazare kept alive the Gandhian values and tradition in him and did not approve of politicization of the movement for seeking power, Kejriwal chose otherwise, the lesser alternative, creating a party of his own.  It was also the need of the hour - most imperative and challenging.  At that time many MPs of several political  parties (including BJP’s) had challenged Anna to come forward as elected representative of the people to the Parliament if he was so much worried about his Lokpal Bill.  These political parties were all united and opposed to Jan Lokpal Bill. They never supported Anna whole heartedly or else some of the MPs must have resigned.  Anna like Gandhi depended on people’s power, non-violence and courage of inner self.  He fasted for the cause and his thirteen-day fast unto death rocked the nation.  Kejriwal was such a direct product of that awakened India.  It was greater being Anna or his associate than being an MP or a party leader.  Still, however, theoretically there was a political challenge posed before Anna Hazare.

Kejriwal accepted the challenge under most odd circumstances.  Anna was not happy but later on blessed him for his endeavour in forming a party.  It was not only needed but essential.  He started from scrap.  He had not even a paisa to organize the party.  He formed his party in the most simplistic way almost unceremoniously.  He called it a party as well as a movement.  Kiran Bedi was indecisive then, but was active in her own way.  She was half way between Anna Hazare and power politics.  She was internally in the state of turmoil.  Kejriwal kept on his ways hoping to change the society in his own style.  He had two wings of his activities – agitation and power – both were intertwined.   

Indian political scene was changed much rapidly with the emergence of Narendra Modi at the helm of nation’s affairs.  This prompted many people and parties to woo him.  Kiran Bedi was one of them.

One cannot dismiss Kiran Bedi simply as an opportunist.  She has caliber and thronged with opportunities several times.  She is perhaps the perfect person that the State of Delhi needs presently and admirably at the top.  Her image is like that of a Shaktimann – a highly empowered woman; a power-crane that lifts and elevates; a roller that levels all. Yes, she dares to do what is good and undo what is bad.  She seems to be a trinity of power of creation, protection and gentle destruction too, if needed.  Her entry to BJP or politics should not be taken lightly. 

Politics of the State of Delhi intermittently played by Congress and BJP has ruined its base of effective governance.  This politics of both the parties proved to be good for some people but bad and ugly for the rest of the State.  There were no hard lines to work out new schemes for the State. Things were moved on ad hoc basis.  All eyes were centered round votes and winning elections.  Perhaps joining of Bedi serves the same purpose for BJP.  Politics became the same last resort as was termed by George Bernard Shaw and as  aptly this tailor made quote applies to Indian politicians.  Kejriwal distinctly tried to refine it.  But he was new, inexperienced and almost lone to fight the battle.  He did mistakes, but still an energetic and powerful person in him, is showing passion to deliver good to the State.  He is a well meaning person and it is unfortunate that Bedi has joined the party to betray her old friend and colleague.

Kiran Bedi knows Delhi and Delhi knows her well.  Bedi can set her priorities accurately.  She knows how to work and how to make others work.  Presently, Delhi-life has fallen on thorns and is profusely  bleeding.  Nirbhayas are calling her to take the reins, not as a politician, but as a protector, a mother and a saviour.  Delhi has become a criminal State – almost a rape capital of the country.  She has to prove her mettle.  Our daughters, sisters, mothers do not feel safe on Delhi roads, in parks, in public and private transport, in day and in night.  We are degenerated and feel helpless.  Let Kiran Bedi come in her old frame as a tough woman.  Her nick name Crane Bedi has still not wiped off.  Kiran Bedi comes as a hope for Delhi.  She can prove to be a real Kiran – a ray of light - for Delhi and the nation.  Delhi CM needs more power to exercise than politics.  Coming of Bedi is always welcome.  But BJP should not play politics with her as Congress played with Kejriwal.

 But Bedi is not a politician in real sense of the term and any party at any time can betray her.  Even internal defection can play havoc.  She has no roots in the party she has joined.  Like Kejriwal her stay may be short lived.  If she does not come in her original self, and compromises with power politics,               she would not be serving the people of Delhi well.  And if she adopts her rough tough attitude as she did during lawyer’s strike in the past, party would not allow her to stay. This would be her dilemma and she might prove to be another Kejriwal.  In Indian politics of to-day, the genes of Gandhi and Anna are missing.  How can their disciples survive with the values of truthfulness, honesty and selfless service?

If one analyses Bedi’s career, achievement and activities one finds that she is a strict disciplinarian, full of courage and vitality.  Her police and administrative training has made her so.  She is strong; self cultured and has a mission and vision of life.  She can even work in odds but given congenial atmosphere, she can deliver good results.  She has started her police career from Delhi and proved to be quite tough and upright officer.  She was wedded to several controversies too like, lathi charge on lawyers protesting outside her office; wrongfully trying to get her daughter admitted to MBBS seat; coming in contact with Shobhraj and people say it was he who made her a writer and corrected the manuscript – ‘I Dare’.  And in return, he was released.  She has earned many laurels to live on but has to quit the job when due promotion was denied to her.  She is an activist and reformer.  She is now learning the game of politics, challenging the member of her own clan - the civil activists.  How long will she manage a political life which thrives on distrust, corruption and maneuverability is yet to be seen?

As a hard nut to crack, Kiran Bedi can hardly be used as a pawn to counter Kejriwal.  She would never agree to it nor Kejriwal directly confront her.  Both belong to the same school of thought, and Sangh Pariwar is just a new home for her and is very difficult to be assimilated with her persona.  She has always kept herself at arm’s length from shorts wearing and saffron colour boys.  She cannot compromise her dignity in the company of ill trained people.  She rarely likes to be at grassroots level and lacks a democratic temper.  However, BJP can improve its chances of winning the election by putting Kiran Bedi as a CM face.  Neither Harsh Vardhan nor Smrit Irani can match her in calibre and quality.  In this respect the BJP’s move to bring Kiran Bedi in its fold is an added advantage.  But this can work in the long run only if BJP is capable of keeping its house intact.  Though victory of BJP in forth coming assembly polls is a foregone conclusion, what is important is the stability of Kiran Bedi if she is forcibly made CM. candidate.   Bedi as an outsider cannot command that respect which is available automatically to an insider.  Had Kiran Bedi joined politics much earlier during Parliamentary elections, the ground for Bedi would have become more solid by now.  The present move of Bedi would be termed as opportunistic, but any time, this type of decision would have been called opportunistic.  Even Kejriwal was not spared and Anna called him opportunist.  This is a political gimmick and a buzzword and the term ‘opportunism’ has almost lost its meaning.  Every time is a time to join politics.  There is nothing good or bad in it.  It is like learning a new game, going for studies to gain knowledge and experience or making a decision for love and getting married.  It is better late than never.  There is nothing wrong if Bedi has joined politics, a bit late, but in a more settled and secured position.