Vasundhara Raje and Arvind Kejriwal: More alike than different

Who has had the shortest honeymoon period in the history of democratic India, Rajasthan's Vasundhara Raje government or Arvind Kejriwal's?

Over the past few weeks a lot has happened to suggest that Raje and Kejriwal's governments are like twins separated at birth. Though both are divided by time, geography and ideology, they took several decisions that seemed inspired by each other, or at least that is what Raje's supporters claim when being taunted with the tag of copycats.

Now, another point of convergence has emerged. Just like Kejriwal's, the Rajasthan government's honeymoon period is over. Going by the headlines in the media, Raje's government has started attracting a lot of criticism and even muted protests for its action in the Assembly and the activity on the ground. And, another striking similarity with the AAP government, the temperature is rising because of its own legislators and the promises made by Raje before the election.

Reuters

Raje has been in power for just two months, two weeks more than the Delhi CM. Electoral history indicates that every government in India generally gets a honeymoon period after sealing its alliance with voters. During this period of halcyon, the public and the critics silently observe the government like a new bride, tolerate all its fads and fetishes, and let it settle down in gubernatorial bliss. This period of euphoria and tolerance generally lasts a few months and sometimes even the full first year of the democratic wedlock.

Kejriwal perhaps had the shortest honeymoon in Indian political history. His government, from the day it tied the knot with public perception and expectation, resembled a troubled household with a lot of drama, arguments and fights—all the ingredients of a tamasha people love to watch and discuss.

But in this aspect, Kejriwal has now started getting competition from his counterpart in Rajasthan. In a public spectacle of divided opinion in the government on Thursday, five senior MLAs of the ruling party blasted the government over a legislation in the Assembly. Among those who critiqued the government was Raje's senior-most minister Gulab Chand Kataria.

The minister not only argued against the proposed law against hoarders but also left the House before it could be passed. Kataria got company from Ghanshyam Tiwari and Rao Rajendra Singh, both party stalwarts, in vocal opposition of the government. Call it the Binny effect.

The stringent attack that both shocked and embarrassed the government supports the growing suspicion that the Raje government will face stiff opposition from within the party's 162 MLAs because of her inability to keep individual ambitions and expectations in check. Raje is known to prefer loyalty over ability. This philosophy created friction within her previous (2003-2008) government as well.

And the signs this time too are ominous.

Around the time MLAs were giving the BJP a hard time in the Assembly, another drama was unfolding near the party headquarters in Jaipur. A few members of the BJP youth wing, beat up university students who were demanding that Raje fulfill one of her election promises.

During the campaign, Raje had promised to abolish TET, an eligibilty test for teachers. Students were demanding that the government clarify its stand on the test. But they were beaten and chased away by members of the youth wing, led into combat by its state chief, in the presence of police.

On Wednesday, the government faced another embarrassing moment when the Supreme Court castigated it for trying to "settle political scores" through the judiciary. The court's remarks were made on the government's volte-face in a case related to the controversial Jal Mahal project in Jaipur.

The project was banned by the Rajasthan high court two years ago. But the Ashok Gehlot government had filed an appeal against the decision. Though the SC allowed the new government to withdraw the appeal, it warned it against using the legal system for settling political scores.

The media, which generally ignores such incidents during the early months of a government, has been reporting them with refreshing candour and in great detail. This shows that just like the AAP government in Delhi, the Raje government will have to constantly live under the media's scrutiny.

She may be leading an equally interesting life in Jaipur, but she is luckier than Kejriwal that her travails have not caught the kind of attention lavished on Delhi.

Raje has so far followed many of Kejriwal's examples in her attempt to run an austere government. She should now meet him in person to discuss how to deal with a vigilant, aggressive media and how to keep her own house in order. And, of course, to share poignant tales of a government's blink-and-its-gone honeymoon period.