Former IPS officer and social activist Kiran Bedi has joined the BJP to contest in the Delhi Elections. Bedi had extended support to Narendra Modi ahead of the 2014 General Elections. AsBJP gets ready to pit Bedi against Arvind Kejriwal in the upcoming Delhi Elections, we glance through their journey so far…India Against CorruptionIn 2011, an anti-corruption movement was started by Arvind Keriwal and several other social activists. Their main agenda was introduction of the Jan Lokpal Bill. Mostly middle-class population joined the movement to fight against the rampant corruption in the country. They wanted a popular face for the movement, Anna Hazare took that position. He bought a large group of supporters with him. Kiran Bedi was an important part of this movement as well. She stood by Anna along with Arvind Kejriwal as he protested against the government. Eventually in 2012, the IAC was affected by several ideological differences between Kejriwal and Anna. Kejriwal was of the opinion that itwas necessary to be directly involved in politics while Anna wanted to keep the movement politically neutral. Hazare and Kejriwal eventually split up and Kejriwal founded the Aam Aadmi Party.Bedi & Kejriwal Split WaysWhen Anna and Kejriwal separated their paths, some anti-corruption movement activists like Prashant Bhushan sided with Kejriwal while others like Kiran Bedi opposed his views. Kiran Bedi was very clear that she did not want any part in politics. She rejected the offer made by Arvind Kejriwal to be theChief Ministerial candidate of theAam Aadmi Party in 2013 saying she is a ‘non-political person’. She had faith in her ideology that social revolution can still bring inthe changes.Eventually Kiran Bedi expressed her issues concerning Arvind Kejriwal. She demanded the dismissal of AAP in Delhi after Kejriwal described himself as an anarchist. The differences in their view had become the thorn in their once close partnership.The Twist In The Tale:Now, Kiran Bedi seems to have changed her point of view as sheformally joined the BJP. She was welcomed into the party by Amit Shah and he announced that she would be contesting in the Delhi Assembly polls. Kiran Bedi is fond of Narendra Modi’s working and leadership. Soon after the announcement was made, Kejriwal expressed his happiness over Bedi joining politics.It appears as though she has altered her opinion about social activism and has agreed that it isrequired to be a part of the system to change the system. What made her change her ideology of bring about a change with social revolution. Maybe it was the lack of impact their movement cause. The real irony lies in how these two, once social activists, are now striving to lead a government and systemthat they were protesting against. It is, of course, yet to be seen if Bedi is able to save BJP’ssinking ship in Delhi or will the citizens give Kejriwal another chance hoping for better governance.
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 07:05:06 +0000
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