Letters: Kejriwal as the Third Front

This refers to Bhupesh Bhandari’s column “The man who hates profit” (White Knight, October 26). My first reaction was to wonder why the media was wasting its time and space on Arvind Kejriwal, whose views on economic fundamentals and governance are archaic – if not anarchic – and who appears to have scant regard for the rule of law. However, ignoring Kejriwal seems to entail a risk that cannot be dismissed lightly. It is clear that by jolting both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Kejriwal is trying to position himself as the Third Front. With the two major parties bogged down with their own problems, the possibility of the next general elections resulting in a motley mix of non-Congress and non-BJP parties at the Centre cannot be ruled out. Compulsions of coalition politics are such that even a small party with a handful of legislators enjoys a virtual veto power to block progressive initiatives. And, this is where the danger lies.

If Kejriwal’s party manages to win even five Lok Sabha seats through opportunistic pre-election alliances with selected parties (never mind his current rhetoric on criminalisation of politics), he could have sufficient clout to be a disruptive force. It could be tempting to charge Kejriwal with economic illiteracy and worse. But he is just on the threshold of the political arena and his views on various matters may still be at a formative stage.

This provides an opportunity that should not be missed. Since the basic intent of the crusader is laudable, every effort should be made to draw him out through persistent engagement. It will ensure that his ideas on issues like inclusive growth and empowerment are not divorced from reality and he commits himself to respect democratic institutions and the rule of law.

Parthasarathy Chaganty, Mumbai

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