These are fun times if you love politics. The 2014 elections are turning out to be super entertaining and there is a new drama almost every day. Leading this entertainment factory is Arvind Kejriwal, who one might like, dismiss, hate, but can't overlook his political acumen.
The AAP chief was on a four-day visit to "verify" Narendra Modi's claims in the state and the visit in itself was a good move. In his recent whirlwind trips across India, Narendra Modi has shown that he is a terrific orator and that he connects well with the masses.
At the same time, he has also shown that statistics are not his strength. In the heat of the moment, the orator has often exaggerated.
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So, Mr Kejriwal reaches Gujarat, is detained and released. This leads to hooliganism by both parties in New Delhi, a one-sided affair in Lucknow and some broken window panes in the Kejriwal juggernaut. But two days go by and there is no major accusation by AAP. One wonders if the visit's purpose was achieved on the first day itself.
But this morning again, AK was again in full force. He listed out 16 questions to Narendra Modi and said he was off to meet him, but was stopped by the police and eventually took a flight to Jaipur.
When I heard Arvind Kejriwal's 16 questions, at first it seemed the man had done his research well and this mini battle in the war surely went in AAP's favour.
On second hearing, I found myself thinking that most of the questions were untrue or misrepresented.
Let me tell the reader here that I've stayed six years in Baroda, Gujarat, and have travelled fairly in the state. Therefore, what I found wrong and objectionable are based on my own experiences and not statistics.
First, AK questions the overall development in the state. This accusation has to be straightway rubbished. Development in the state is visible in the quality of roads, infrastructure, transport system etc.
Water issues: I've never heard or experienced water issues in South Gujarat. The drier part of the state is up north and stories of water coming once in a week were common pre-2004. But I stayed almost a month in Anjar in 2006 and travelled in the region. Water was not a luxury, but in the flat I stayed there was water supply seven days a week for 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening.
Power: My personal experience regarding power in Gujarat has been very good. Mumbai, where I stay currently, is an island city and so there are no isssues here but problems in other metros are well known. At my Baroda residence, there is electricity 24x7. Plus, the service provided by the GSEB (Gujarat State Electricity Board) has improved manifold.
Last monsoon, when I was there, there was short circuit around 2 am because of a storm. We complained and the officials came in 20 minutes to restore the power.
The solar power question needs to be investigated but what I hear from a friend, who is in marketing and travels the breadth of Gujarat day-in and day-out, is that solar power has helped a lot of villages and made them independent and freed them from reliance on NTPC.
Education: The quality of education in the state has been an issue. One has to just pick up a Gujarat board textbook and compare it to a CBSE or a ICSE textbook and the disparity is visible. But what Kejriwal did not mention is that some time back, the Gujarat government set up a special hub to groom teachers to address this issue. But there is no doubt more speedy development is surely needed in this sector.
Corruption and government offices: Is there zero corruption. Absolutely not. But there is visible ease in government offices. We know how RTOs used to function earlier across the country. The last time I was in Baroda, I had to get a duplicate licence. The process was much simpler. My mother got her passport made a few months back there and it was hassle free. No 'chai-pani kharcha' asked.
There are some other serious blames which are levied by AAP to which I've no firsthand understanding. Like the land-grabbing from Sikhs and farmer suicides etc. All the 16 blames should be investigated and the truth should be brought out by my brethren soon. Or so I hope.