You can take an AAPiyan out of AAP, but you cannot take AAPiyata out of an AAPiyan. Or so it seems. Remember back in July 2016, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal released a short clip, claiming Prime Minister Modi is so scared of his rising popularity that ‘anything might happen’ and that ‘they could get us killed’. Of course, resounding defeat in Punjab and Goa elections held after the theatrics, Kejriwal has calmed down and now resorts to mostly being passive aggressive by retweeting anti-Modi tweets instead of directly taking on him.
But this art of playing victim is so deeply ingrained that former AAPiyan and now an ‘independent’ MLA from Vadgam in Gujarat, Jignesh Mevani has decided to follow his former boss’ footsteps. After Mevani, who is also a champion of free speech and freedom of press, was condemned for snubbing a journalist, he claimed that the BJP and RSS want to ‘get him eliminated’. Mevani was an AAP member till he resigned in August 2016.
In a scene straight out of Hindi films, Mevani’s statement came a day after Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Pravin Togadia went ‘missing’ before being found. Togadia, an advocate of Hindu nationalism, who has Z plus security, in a surprise move has found support and concern from unexpected sources.
Various Dalit groups in Gujarat have submitted memorandums to Collectors of various districts demanding a Y category security, of 11 security personnel including 8 commandos, for Mevani. Mevani claims that he feels just like Togadia, where fascists forces could get him killed. On an unrelated note, Mevani was accused of inciting a mob to take to streets leading to protest.
Speaking of threats and attacks, another AAPiyan, Gopal Rai, who is now the Rural Development Minister of Delhi Government, at one point had allegedly faked his own kidnapping to try win elections as student in Lucknow University.
@Sajaanobanerjee Gopal Rai expelled frm AISA, ML in ’96 or so when he tried shortcut in LucknowUniv polls by faking kidnapping @AapYogendra
— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) January 12, 2014
Of course, one wishes long and healthy life to everyone, such actions by elected representatives leaves behind a lot of doubts. Mevani contested as an independent candidate in the recently concluded legislative assembly elections in Gujarat with support of the Congress on the seat reserved for a Schedule Caste nominee.
