If it's a face-saver, it's one that Delhi gains from: AAP's Ashutosh

New Delhi: Ashutosh of the Aam Aadmi Party talks to NDTV.com about why it's incorrect to conclude that Delhi's ruling party blinked in the stand-off with the union government over the suspension of five police officers for alleged inaction. The AAP and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal ended a two-day protest in the heart of the capital last evening after two of those police officers were asked to proceed on leave.  

NDTV.com: AAP is being accused of accepting  a face-saver formula from central government...do you accept that? After all, the demonstration ended on the basis of two police officers being asked to proceed on leave. That's not what you wanted.  

Ashutosh: Even if I concede the point that the compromise was a face saver, then it is a face saver which offers security and safety to the common man. That is not a bad bargain at all.

It is interesting to note that the people are calling it a face saver. The fact is that such people are missing the big picture. The big picture is that for the first time in the history of Delhi after it became a state, a step was taken to make the Delhi police accountable to the elected government. From now on, any act of commission or omission by the Delhi police will be monitored by the elected representatives of the people. The Delhi Police can no longer get away by saying that they do not report to the Delhi government but to the central Home Ministry.

Also, the union government had ordered an enquiry into the actions of the errant police officers. We said that enquiry would not be fair if the cops were in office when the enquiry was conducted. Now they are on leave. So the investigation can be impartial.

The Delhi government has shown that with the help of the common man, the arrogance of the powerful can be eroded which gives a sense of empowerment to the common man and strengthens the hand of the elected government in Delhi.

A common man can go to a police thana without facing humiliation. That was our promise and we will continue to fight to keep that promise.

NDTV.com: Was AAP concerned with all the criticism it received of the demonstration?

Ashutosh: AAP is a democratic organisation and we believe that criticism brings out the creative impulse in human beings. So we are not scared of criticism, rather we take it in our stride.

NDTV.com: Was AAP disappointed with the turnout for the protest? And are you worried that you are losing support among middle-class and educated professionals?

Ashutosh: Not at all. Our support base is very much there. This alleged disenchantment is just a propaganda unleashed by political parties. They are scared of the rising popularity of AAP.

NDTV.com: What do you say to those who allege that AAP is great at organizing demonstrations but not at governance?

Ashutosh: This is one allegation which is very ridiculous. If you see our report card, we formed the  government promising to deliver on 18 issues. Half of those issues have already been delivered. The electricity bill has been halved, free water supply has been ordered, to fight corruption a helpline has been installed. And citizens have been asked to do sting operations which is already showing results. The audit of the power companies has begun.  Ask the new governments in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan - how many promises from their manifestos have they delivered?

NDTV.com: Congress says it will not withdraw support, this forces you to remain in power. Are you uncomfortable with that?

Ashutosh: We never asked Congress to support us so we are not worried about whether they withdraw or continue their support.

NDTV.com: Is AAP likely to hold another demonstration like this demanding the urgent clearing of the Jan Lokpal Bill for Delhi?

Ashutosh: We will try to do whatever is possible in a democratically, constitutionally method to make Jan Lokpal a powerful and robust body.

NDTV.com: The Chief Minister's blue Wagon-R is being called the AAP-mobile. What can you tell us about the meetings and discussions that take place in this small car?

Ashutosh: There was no space in the open to talk and discuss important issues, and the car provided us with shelter to discuss and strategize.

NDTV.com: Your response to Chetan Bhagat, a former AAP admirer, who said on NDTV that AAP has become "the item-girl of politics"?

Ashutosh: I don't want to get into any argument with Chetan Bhagat. If AAP has become an the item-girl of politics, then why did Chetan Bhagat come running to Mr Kejriwal a week ago, saying he wanted to join AAP? Ask him this.