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The verdict: Talk to AK better than Modi's Mann ki Baat & Arnab interview

Vishakh Unnikrishnan | Updated on: 18 July 2016, 0:44 IST

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held an interactive session "Talk to AK" with the public on Sunday.

He began with a 45-minute monologue, which reminded people of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly musings, Mann ki Baat. But it changed when the question and answer session began.

Questions that Kejriwal answered ranged from progress on the free Wi-Fi project in Delhi to the MLAs that risked disqualification for holding a position of parliamentary representatives, a position of office of profit while working as public representatives.

Also read - How Kejriwal turned an RTI query against him to seek details on PM Modi's degrees

"I don't think he answered enough questions pertaining to problems that people in Delhi face. He was portraying himself as a national leader," Anshul, who runs a small store in Malaviya Nagar, said while watching Talk to AK on his mobile phone.

Kejriwal's standard answer to most questions was that the LG wasn't letting him do his job

Kejriwal repeatedly brought the discussion back to the work his government has done in education, health and sanitation, clearly indicating that these were his key success areas. Some of the people who called in, praised Kejriwal and lauded the work done by his government.

However, he often went on the defensive and blamed the Lieutenant Governor's interference for lack of progress on issues like free Wi-Fi and non payment of wages to municipal employees.

Kejriwal also said that he would soon initiate a referendum on full statehood for Delhi as it was the "only way to get the Centre off his back".

He expressed hope that AAP would win the MCD elections next year, asserting that the Delhi government had performed much better than the Central government.

Here are excerpts from Kejriwal's answers on key issues.

On education:

"We are making sure that teachers are accountable. We have sent teachers and other staff in Delhi for training to foreign universities. We will try to implement the same in Punjab, Goa, Gujarat, etc."

On salary hike for MLAs:

"Our MLAs salary was Rs 12,000 and we have increased it to Rs 50,000. It is being done so that the ministers earn enough to run their families and not indulge any corrupt activity."

On arrest of MLAs:

"The Central government's police create false allegations and arrest our MLAs. One of our MLAs was kept in jail for a day because he saw an officer asking for money from a poor resident in Delhi. He intervened and the instead of acting against the officer, the police arrested the MLA."

On Delhi statehood referendum:

"We cannot hold a referendum as per the Constitution, but we will try and organise an opinion poll."

What others thought of the interview

"It's always good to reach out to people directly and the internet is a good medium for that, but you never know how much of it is scripted," says Kavita Krishnan, activist and secretary of All India Progressive Women's Association.

Yogendra Yadav of Swaraj Abhiyan and erstwhile member of AAP denied to comment on the show.

"While it's always a good idea to reach out to the masses, I believe it was more of an attempt by Kejriwal to portray himself as a national leader than the chief minister of Delhi." says Geeta Seshu, consulting editor at The Hoot, Free Speech Hub. "AAP has used social media to its advantage to a large extent. One should expect more of such events," she adds.

Critics also suggested that with the The Janta Darbar losing steam, the party is trying to reach out to the people through other means.

Activists from HIV AIDS Alliance wished the chief minister had addressed issues faced by the transgender and hijra community, who face constant discrimination and harassment in the national capital.

More in Catch - Arvind Kejriwal plays religion card during his Punjab visit

Arvind Kejriwal's Principal Secretary Rajendra Kumar suspended

First published: 18 July 2016, 0:44 IST
 
Vishakh Unnikrishnan @sparksofvishdom

A graduate of the Asian College of Journalism, Vishakh tracks stories on public policy, environment and culture. Previously at Mint, he enjoys bringing in a touch of humour to the darkest of times and hardest of stories. One word self-description: Quipster