Who exactly is Arvind Kejriwal? One of the drawbacks of this election is the inadequate time they we have got to figure him out. A few months in politics and a few days in the CM's chair are inadequate for making up your mind about a leader, especially when the person concerned is a bundle of contradictions.
A conclusive relation between a politician and voters takes time to develop. Narendra Modi, for instance, spent around a decade as chief minister before everybody formed a decisive opinion of him. Rahul Gandhi too has been in public life for almost the same period; based on his performance we now know whether to accept or reject him.
But Kejriwal has been work in progress, almost like a painting that has an outline and several dabs of colour. Since the picture is not yet complete, we do not know whether it is a masterpiece or a tawdry attempt at art. If only the artiste called time had the liberty to slow down its hourglass we would have known.
BJP workers protest against Arvind Kejriwal. AFP.
It is quite possible that Kejriwal himself is straddling many personas by choice. Since he is also starved of time, it is possible that the Delhi CM is investing in many roles to find out which one of them yields the maximum dividends. Or, and this is more likely, his inexperience and the pressure around him are pulling Kejriwal in various directions.
Based on the evidence so far, Kejriwal could be all or any of these three: a crusading anarchist, a wronged bechara and a probationary visionary. Given a choice, we would have liked to see clinching evidence in favour of any of these three competing Kejriwals. This would have helped us take the right decision in the Lok Sabha elections. And the result would have been fair to both voters and Kejriwal.
But since time is by nobody's side, let us look at the three shades of Kejriwal and their future prospects.
The Wronged Bechara
Who is he? This version of Kejriwal is humble to the core, dresses like a clerk, calls himself 'daba, kuchla' (repressed, trampled), addresses everybody at a press conference as 'sir' and starts each of his argument with his standard 'hum to ji'.
Though many would argue that Kejriwal's chances of achieving greatness depend on his performance, it would be a mistake to not bet on the humble aam aadmi. The common man identifies with him and that is his strength. But his rivals and the media are also helping him by constantly pummeling him.
Let us face this. Among the many factors that move us Indians to vote for somebody, empathy and pity rank high in the pecking order. Everybody in India loves to support a bechara.
In 1984, all of us cried and queued up for Rajiv Gandhi. In 1991, when Rajiv died, the second phase of the election—held after his assassination—saw the Congress gain substantially. In the 90s, Atal Behari Vajpayee was voted back twice after his 13-day and 13-month governments were brought down. Even in 1980, Indira Gandhi returned to power after voters regretted throwing her out, though Morarji Desai and his fumbling fools were equally to be blamed.
What are his odds? The line between a subject of ridicule (Rahul Gandhi currently) and an object of sympathy (Kejriwal possibly) is thin. Derision, harassment, criticism and acerbic opposition are good political weapons, but they can sometimes backfire by creating empathy for the victim. The tipping point comes when people, mostly women and the commiserating among the middle-aged, start saying, 'Bechare ke peeche hi pad gaye hain.'
Has Kejriwal reached that point? He certainly will if anybody succeeds in pulling down his government.
The Crusading Anarchist
Who he? We have seen him many times. He is arrogant enough to call everyone corrupt, likes to make slanderous charges against rival politicians, is always eager for a streetfight, a mild provocation away from another dharna and believes in unorthodox tools like spycams, stings and public singing.
The media absolutely loves to bash him. The opposition flies into a rage at the sight of him. Critics see in him signs of a bottled Naxalite. Even some of his die-hard fans feel that this avatar of Shri Kejriwal is unacceptable. But there are many who find in him the crusader, the vigilante who is raging against the system that doesn't respond to any other means. These supporters have a lot of pent-up anger against the system and are convinced that only a streetfighter can set things right.
What are his odds? The line between a revolutionary and a thug is thin. If Kejriwal overdoes his act, he would turn into a north Indian version of Raj Thackrey. If that happens, he would no longer remain a symbol of hope and aspirations; he would be reduced to just an irritant.
The Probationary Visionary
Who is he? This Kejriwal is an idea. He was elected because people longed for an India against corruption, of a democracy where CMs and PMs would lead austere simple life as their humble servants, of a country where there would be better schools, healthcare, free water and electricity and Janata Darbars for everyone. The idea, as seen from the race to copy Kejriwal across India, has invaded India.
Kejriwal, on occasions, has looked the part. At times he has failed. But nobody so far has accused him of not trying. He has kept some promises, rolled out helplines, cleared Jan Lokpal it; started and abandoned Janata Darbars and discarded the VIP-neta tag. That he is on the right path is evident from the fact that even the BJP CMs are imitating him.
What are his odds? As Hashiba Amin says in the Rahul Gandhi ad, this isn't rocket science. The voters of Delhi have elected Kejriwal only because they believe in the idea of an honest, hard-working, visionary CM. Kejriwal is still trying, but the more he delivers, the greater would be his acceptability.
Over to the best Kejriwal, then.
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