The AAP effect

Though Congress leaders will not admit it publicly, they are deeply upset at the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP's) victory. So much so that even senior leaders do not hesitate to deride AAP at any opportunity. A Congress party briefing on minority community issues saw Union Minister Salman Khurshid - making a rare appearance at the party headquarters - do just that. When reporters questioned him on the secrecy of decision-making in the party, Khurshid shot back, "Where is the secrecy? Here I am answering all your queries sitting in this room. Of course, you can't expect me to have an open-air discussion at Ram Leela Maidan!" That was a dig at Arvind Kejriwal's decision to have his swearing-in ceremony at the Ram Leela grounds. Khurshid added for good measure: "See, I tell you things as they are. I don't make you promises of free water and halving of electricity bills!"