AAP govt becoming victim of its own style: Jaitley

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha says when it came to governance, AAP had confused substance with style

Hitting out at AAP again for its unconventional style of governance, BJP today said publicity without substantive governance was simply "gimmickry" the continuance of which would invite public ridicule and anger.

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley, said that, when it came to governance, AAP had confused substance with style.

Its (AAP's) "unconventional style is not a substitute for substantive governance," Jaitley added.

"Publicity as regards the style of governance without any substantive governance is simply gimmickry. Responsible governance has a lasting impact. Gimmickry is always short- lived," he said.

"Continued gimmickry without substance invites public ridicule and anger. The AAP government is now becoming a victim of its own style. The sooner it realises that, it would have an opportunity to correct the error into which it is falling," he said in an article.

Noting that the AAP government had an historic opportunity to honour the confidence which the electorate in Delhi had reposed in it, Jaitley, however, cautioned that voters were ruthless in making their choices.

"They (voters) vote in a government and can turn their anger towards the same if it fails to perform," he said.

Governance involves policy formulation and implementation, the BJP leader said. Policies have to be sound and based on established principles while their implementation has to done in a transparent and honest manner, Jaitley added.

"Getting positive publicity for serious governance can be a part of clever politics blended with good governance. Publicity without governance is gimmickry," he said.

He said there are two challenges in Delhi - that concerning the unprivileged sections who are seeking basic amenities and the other of its aspiration to become a global city.

The comments come at a time when Jaitley has asked his party to take a cue from the success of AAP and reach out to the people with big ideas in order to project the picture that the future of India was secure in its hands.