This Article is From Aug 26, 2014

When a Young Narendra Modi Supporter Made Arvind Kejriwal Break Into a Smile

Smashed windshields, an alleged detention, protests, black flags and then violent clashes between the BJP and AAP workers.

If the first three days of Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal's 'study tour' in Gujarat were tense and politically charged, there was at least one nice moment before his trip ended.

Mr Kejriwal's rally was to pass through Chief Minister Narendra Modi's constituency of Maninagar. The police were apprehensive, given the volatile political atmosphere, of another clash between party workers.

But far from it- and to everyone's surprise - there was a genuine moment of bonhomie. As Mr Kejriwal stood on his open jeep, at the corner of a lane, a child merrily waved a BJP flag. The only BJP flag we saw during the entire rally. Around him there were some teenagers who were chanting pro-Modi slogans. But they weren't provocative. Rather, they were naughtily teasing Mr Kejriwal to get his attention.

The situation immediately caught my eye. Would Arvind Kejriwal ignore them and focus on those who were genuinely in awe of the man?

None of it. Seeing the young BJP supporter, Mr Kejriwal couldn't help but wear a big warm smile! The "Modi-Modi" chants - peppered with giggles were so cheeky that even the AAP's 'angry young man' was forced to break into a chuckle, and wave at them.

If only Indian politics were more often like this. After all, they are only political rivals with different ideologies.

They are not 'jaani dushmans'. 
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