Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal faced more flak from political parties today for continuing with his protests even as a prominent member of his AAP warned there is a danger of missing the woods for the trees in its demand for suspension of police personnel.
With the main Republic Day celebrations in Rajpath just five days away, Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari came down heavily on Kejriwal's threat to disrupt it and said AAP was equally responsible for its success. Rajpath is close to the site of protests in the heart of the national capital.
Tewari's ministerial colleague G K Vasan called the protest a "publicity stunt" and not a good sign for a Chief Minister.
Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh attacked Kejriwal for taking the 'agitation' route and said he should maintain the dignity of the office he holds by adopting constitutional means to resolve his stand-off with the Centre.
Targeting AAP government's protest against Delhi Police, BJP leader Arun Jaitley said, "There is on display a 'Federation of Anarchists' on the streets of Delhi. Anarchy cannot be Alternate Politics."
"The party has displayed scant regard for the Rule of Law (in Malviya Nagar), political adventurism, extreme arrogance, lack of civility in public discourse and the least concern for established institutions. It appeals to the policemen to take off their uniforms and participate in the agitation," said the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.
Jaitley's party colleague Prakash Javadekar charged that Kejriwal is speaking the language of Maoists and is clueless about running the government and keeping his promises.
"This is a joint operation of AAP and Congress which has led to an anarchic situation in Delhi. Both have reasons for doing this,"he added.
AAP member Captain G R Gopinath, pioneer of low-cost airline in India, said Kejriwal and his Cabinet should govern from their offices and only his party workers must protest.
Gopinath said Kejriwal sitting on dharna demanding action against four junior police personnel is, according to many opinion leaders, the last straw that may break the camel's back when it comes to AAP mis-steps.
"Demanding suspension of police personnel is missing the woods for the trees, apart from the fact that you are making a scapegoat of hapless junior officers who are mere cogs in the wheel," he added.
"It also runs the risk of losing the support of the educated middle class and the 'yuppie brigade' who catapulted it to power," Gopinath said.
Congress spokesperson Randip Surjewala said AAP was behaving in an anarchic and unconstitutional manner.
"Being in the government, it is their duty to follow Constitution. And therefore they need to review their policy and conduct so far," Surjewala told reporters.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad accused AAP and Kerjwial of staging a "drama" and "destroying" the system.
