Dear Shri Arvind Kejriwal,
Congratulations. As I write this letter to you, I am choking. It is a red letter day in Indian politics. Hope is back. Space for alternative politics is alive and kicking. People power has spoken and one amongst us has won. Delhi has spoken for India. Delhi has voted to protect democracy. Negative politics has been dealt a death blow. All parties will be forced to come back to an agenda which is positive, transparent and accountable. And Arvind Kejriwal you personified our hopes of new kind of politics.
Now, our responsibility of giving you another chance to fulfill your unfulfilled promises is complete. It is mission accomplished. During this arduous course, we had invested our time, energy and resources. We had lost friends, made enemies. We were ridiculed for supporting you, for your past 'mistakes'. It is now your responsibility to make us proud. As you start your journey afresh, here’s a 10-point cheat sheet.
1. Find ways of working with Modi government. You should enable this to happen. The more you reach out to your opponents, the bigger the leader you are.
2. Not everyone is purchasable. When I oppose you, it is a belief. Nothing more.
3. Not every bureaucrat is corrupt. It is your team - give them the confidence to run an efficient, fearless administration.
4. Not every business man is a cheat, and profit motive is not a crime. Your government will succeed only if businesses succeed.
5. There is a big difference between populism and being popular. Don't buy popularity with schemes that cost a bomb.
6. Activism and governance don't always go with each other. Mutant rebels and real life heroes don't always make good administrators.
7. White and black are colours in the periphery. The majority is grey and AAP is no exception. Don't paint yourself white because you will be cornered on your own standards.
8. A few in AAP have joined for the power. It is time you take them down, one by one.
9. To create a lasting corporate enterprise takes a decade. A social enterprise is a far bigger and longer task. Don't be in a hurry. Rule Delhi well and expand with caution. Don't kill our movement. Nurture it.
10. Long back, you had told me, 'I will prove through our governance in Delhi'. Expand gradually. There is no hurry. Look at how Modi marketed the Gujarat governance story after 10 years.
When you were contesting, it was as if I was contesting. Your pressure, pain and burden were mine. I put myself behind you. I avoided questioning glaring issues. Now it is an open season. I go back to my zone - of being a critic who only looks at gaps in governance. Our relationship will continue, but as adversaries.
And I wish you keep my mouth shut, by your governance.
Your well wisher
Maheshwer Peri
