The Aam Aadmi Party has completed 49 days of its government today. The first 49 days of rule is an important milestone for the Arvind Kejriwal government. Last time the crusader-turned-politician resigned on 49th day from the coveted position, without much rhyme and reason.
In both the terms Kejriwal managed to get good media attention. In the first term, it was for inter party friction. The then newly elected CM was in direct confrontation with the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led Congress government on the issue of corruption and giving Delhi full statehood. The friction went to the level when, first time in the history of the country, a seating CM had to stage a ‘dharna' in the capital.
This time, however, the party, after garnering huge majority of 67 seats out of 70, is hit by intra party friction. Outsiders see it as a power struggle between the pro and anti Kejriwal faction. Once the face of the party, Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, were shown the door from the so called “people's party”.
Even the party had done away with its own Lokpal – a surprising move as once AAP has hogged national lime light on the issue of Lokpal.
Kejriwal's controversial audios have also surfaced during the last few days. The firebrand leader, who was seen speaking on everything under the sun, is yet to speak on his own sting. His message of doing sting and making it public was taken more seriously by the party members, before Delhiites could have learnt to use it.
Even there isn't single news of the CM having spoken on much-attention-requiring issues like Swine Flu or the current issue of pollution reaching alarming levels.
Like last year, this time again there had been U-turns by the party in the name of waivers to be offered on ‘Bijli' and ‘Pani'. After 49 days also, Delhi continues to wait for the promised free wi-fi and reduced charges on electricity and water.
The CM also refused to occupy a furnished bungalow first and to no one's surprise took it later. This, again, is a repetition of his previous U-turn.
Last time this newly-emerged party made novice yet attractive efforts to woo Delhiites. But this time, in just few days after its inception, party members and the CM himself became too busy in resolving their internal conflicts.
No difference could be seen in the way party is working on the problems of the national capital.
The citizens of Delhi were happy to see some action on corruption last time, like the CAG audits of power discoms, CWG files being relooked and the corruption helpline but this time just everything has taken a back seat in the wake of the “uprising” within the party.
Women's safety and reformation of education system were also somewhere in the party's priority list last time yet these have also lost their importance this time. CCTV cameras, as were promised for the safety of women are nowhere to be seen nor are they heard. News of panic buttons to prevent increasing number of rape cases has also died down.
In tenure of close to two months, people of Delhi are still waiting if the Aam Aadmi Party “could spare sometime” out of their own humdrum for the development of the capital.
