Despite the Congress and the BJP using President Pranab Mukherjee’s remarks to attack the AAP, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said it has only triggered a healthy debate.
The President had remarked that populist anarchy could not be a substitute for governance, apparently aimed at the AAP that held a dharna against the Centre controlling the Delhi Police.
Despite its moderate remarks, as it first said the President’s comments were directed against other parties and later revealed that it was considering it, Kejriwal retweeted internationally acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur’s reaction.
“Dear Mr President. Activism and Anarchy are not the same. Anarchy was 1984 when mobs went on rampage killing Sikhs. Provoked by State n Police,” Kapur said on Twitter, which Kejriwal retweeted ahead of attending the customary meeting with the President at his official residence on Republic Day.
At Rashtrapati Bhavan, the chief minister told reporters: “Please look at the newspapers. Some are in favour and some are critical, and a healthy debate is always very good in a democracy.”
Responding to questions, Kejriwal said he was also happy that the President’s speech has been debated.
AAP leader Yogendra Yadav on Saturday said the President’s speech was not about his party, while another leader Ashutosh on Sunday declined to comment on the remarks.
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