Sting operation: How Kejriwal had to swallow his own bitter pill

Arvind Kejriwal, the ebullient if reckless founder of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), got a taste of his own bitter medicine. He accuses his political rivals of match fixing and other sorts of fixings including media fixing. However, the YouTube clipping that has gone viral does not do anything to enhance Kejriwal's own credibility.

Quick to size up his interlocutor, Kejriwal, little realizing that even after the interview was over the camera was still on, is seen discussing with the pliable anchor Prasoon Vajpayee of Aaj Tak how to highlight the pluses and downplay the minuses of his just concluded interview when it is aired soon.

Arvind Kejriwal. AFP.

It's ironical that a sting operation revealed Kejriwal's overzealous attempts to publicise his achievements. While he was the chief minister of Delhi, he had exhorted its denizens to sting corrupt officials with itchy palms by recording their utterances or better still catching them on camera red handed.

However, whether people have responded to his call or not, he himself has unwittingly fallen a prey---he has stung himself, so to speak. Being garrulous and publicity seeking, he couldn't hold himself back from asking a few favors of Prasoon. He did not suspect that the camera was still rolling and a mischievous person could leak the portion that was not aired.

His fulminations against his rivals and their alleged friendly media would now be ridiculed more than ever before now that he has been caught making a faux pas. Unlike Manu Singhvi who managed to get a stay on airing the clipping that caught him with his pants down, Kejriwal can manage no such stay. Even if he does, a lot of damage would have already been done. His bête noire, Zee News channel has been airing his indiscretion and thousands of people have seen him on YouTube doing the most despicable thing given the air of self-righteousness with which he always harangues.

He accuses Modi of using Ambani and Adani's aircrafts gratis but he himself thought nothing of flying from Jaipur to Delhi, reportedly in a private jet. He accuses Modi of using the media to exaggerate his achievements but he himself loses no opportunity to rush before television cameras. He urges his storm-troopers to protest in front of BJP's office knowing fully well that there would be sizeable media presence and in a manner of double take says without batting an eyelid that he never approves of violence.

Through his indiscretion before the camera he has destroyed whatever credibility he had.