In politics, as in life, apologizing for unsubstantiated allegations is always prudent
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has, as Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh who has spent over 50 years in politics pointed out in New Delhi on Saturday, probably learnt over the past few years that unsubstantiated allegations against political opponents do nothing to improve either the level of discourse or the desire for better governance. Which is perhaps why while both the Congress and the AAP fought a spirited campaign against the Badals-led Punjab State Government in 2017, it was the former, which didn’t pull its punches either when it came to taking the Akali-BJP regime to task for the drug menace in the State spiraling out of control on its watch, won the Assembly poll handsomely while the AAP, which targeted individuals in and around the administration as the drug barons, put in an underwhelming performance despite being in pole position as it was seen by many as comprising a fresh, idealistic bunch of non-career politicians.
AAP characterising the erstwhile Akali Dal-led Government in Punjab as “patronizing the drug mafia” could arguably be explained away in terms of an articulation of public perception, but to name and on various platforms term the then Punjab Minister Bikram Singh Majithia as a “drug lord” who would be “dragged by his collar” to justice if it was voted to power was just not on. We know that those in public life have to possess a thick skin but with about 20 defamation cases against Kejriwal pending at various stages including the one being prosecuted by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, it is equally true that certain red lines have been crossed. Put another way, imagine if a private citizen had false and/or unsubstantiated allegations thrown at him/her and was maligned in this manner. Wouldn’t any innocent person have rushed to bring the accuser to justice with a criminal complaint of defamation, the only legal remedy available to him/herIJ Therefore, the Delhi Chief Minister tendering an apology to Majithia, stating that he realized that the allegations made were “unfounded” and politics over the matter must now end, should be welcomed. As must the news emanating from the AAP camp that similar apologies to other political opponents are in the pipeline to bring an end to the waste of time and resources that could be much better employed in serving the people.
Of course, there is a political backlash AAP is facing as result of the apology with its Punjab unit in virtual revolt, and there surely will be more pushback as and when the other apologies reportedly being planned are issued. But Kejriwal and his team must take it all on the chin and go ahead with their plan to bring sanity back into political conversations, even when between adversaries. And, crucially, if indeed an allegation is to be made in the future, whether against a political opponent or common/garden variety of citizens aka the aam aadmi/aurat, it must be backed by legally admissible proof that the allegation is not false and/or unsubstantiated. There is a larger question too: Can an apology undo the damage a falsehood has inflicted on an individualIJ Nevertheless, now that the battle of egos seems to be winding down and Kejriwal has decided not to expend his political energies and capital on courtroom battles, he should use the opportunity to focus on governance. Ever since being voted to power in Delhi with an unprecedented mandate, the AAP Government has gone some way, despite hiccups, in delivering on key promises made during its election campaign. From ensuring cheap supply of water and electricity to launching the odd-even scheme to help fight air pollution and educational reforms to building schools infrastructure, to the Mohalla Clinic health scheme — the Kejriwal Government has shown it has the political will to bring about working within the limitations the Constitutional scheme of things imposes on its powers. long-term future of the party will be decided not by hit-and-run politics or courtroom battles but how much the State where it has been elected to power has developed. His course-correction is a sign that Kejriwal understands that AAP politics must continue to forge this new path.