Our polity has a tryst with black ink. The latest in this hallowed circle is Arvind Kejriwal.
Having sullied the sanctity of business contracts every which way he could, Kejriwal brought the black ink upon himself in Varanasi on Tuesday.
Those in the BJP feel the splash was stage-managed to evoke sympathy.
The operative part remains how the Aam Admi Party (AAP) has been spraying ink on select corporates, hoping that some stains won’t wash.
The party has zilch to show for an economic policy. But its imprint as a spoiler and a source of negativity will take years to fade away.
For dummies, Kejriwal’s letter to the Election Commission (EC) has nullified an entire process of governance. ResultIJ A gas-pricing formula evolved by economist C Rangarajan, adopted nearly 9 months before the model code of conduct (MCC), stands in the witness box!
By placating AAP, the EC has kicked in a worrying domino on regulatory uncertainty.
Not many remember that the former Reserve Bank Governor’s formula on revising gas prices was in line with Government’s contractual obligation.
Way back in June 27, 2013, 13 months after Rangarajan was commissioned on May 31, 2012 to evolve the formula, the Union Cabinet approved new prices effective April 1, 2014.
That’s eight months before the MCC came into effect. Eight months!
Oblivious to that, the EC has emerged pliant to Kejriwal’s hollering.
Even a prolonged and deeply-deliberated decision of the elected executive has been airbrushed as contrary to the MCC and the spirit of fair elections!
In this day and age of risk-free existence, the three EC commissioners have lobbed the ball in the court of the new Government. This will keep them safe from AAP trolls. But EC has ignored that even in the best case, honouring a sovereign undertaking will take at least two more months.
Two related questions for the electoral triumvirate of VS Sampath, HS Brahma, and Naseem Zaidi.
First, how would a hike in gas prices garner more votes for the ruling party – that too on a decision the Union Cabinet took way back in June of last yearIJ Don’t votes hang on lowering gas prices! Excise notifications lowering customs duty on gold should have been struck down similarly.
Second, what is the material difference in the situation India Ink (oops Inc!) finds itself 2014IJ How were the merits of the case on April 1, 2009 different the last time aroundIJ
Remember, elections were being held in exactly the similar manner when revised gas prices became effective at $4.20/unit on April 1, 2009 for the next five years.
Why wasn’t the situation in 2009, a so-called violation of the MCC – while an exactly similar set of facts this year had Kejriwal getting his wayIJ
He was still a junior finance ministry official in April-May 2009. Pranab Mukherjee, the head of the empowered group of ministers, who on September 12, 2007 fixed the price at $4.20/unit, must be sighing in relief!
(The columnist works at the intersect of media, regulation and strategy on RIl that Arvind Kejriwal has targeted. The views are personal. Follow @therohitbansal).