New Delhi: Before it fought elections in December 2013 and came to power the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had three main enemies – the then Congress-led Centre, main opposition BJP and the Delhi Police. After the December 16, 2012 horrific gangrape and murder of a young student in a moving bus in Delhi, the entire national capital erupted in anger against the police. The AAP also played a role in mobilising the crowd against the police. The AAP was just two months old then and its chief Arvind Kejriwal led a frontal attack on the police calling the force inefficient and highly corrupt.
Immediately after it came to power in December 2013, the AAP trained its gun on Delhi Police. Its law minister in the 49-day government Somnath Bharti led a raid on African nationals in Khirki Extension of South Delhi alleging that they are into prostitution. It led to a huge furore forcing Kejriwal to sit on a dharna at Rajpath against the police. Finally it led to the collapse of AAP government.
Before the February 2015 Assembly elections, the AAP once again made Delhi police one of the central issues and targets of its election campaign. Kejriwal repeatedly told the people that he would discipline the 'corrupt' Delhi Police if he was voted to power. Shocking and surprising everyone Kejriwal came to power with a huge majority and took charge as the chief minister of Delhi for the second time in February following which Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi paid him a visit. Kejriwal even assured that he would maintain a cordial relationship with the police.
The uneasy relationship between the both got worsened over the appointment of Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) chief. The Centre appointed an IPS officer of its choice as the head of ACB totally ignoring Kejriwal’s loud protests. Krjriwal appointed an IPS officer of his choice to the same post. It led to one more round of fight between AAP on one side with the police and the Centre on the other side.
The situation worsened after Delhi Police arrested the then Delhi law minister Jitendra Singh Tomar over his alleged fake degree. The Delhi Police also registered several FIRs against many AAP leaders over various issues. The handling of Somnath Bharti’s wife’s domestic violence complaint also led to more war of words.
Recently Kejriwal allegedly used a derogatory term ‘thulla’ to describe Delhi Police personnel inviting sharp reactions from the police force. Two retired policemen from Delhi even lodged a complaint seeking action him.
The horrific murder of a girl in Delhi once again brought Kejriwal and Delhi Police face to face. Kejriwal summoned Bassi seeking explanation. A defiant Bassi refused to bow before him and defended his force in public.
Another AAP leader Dilip Pandey has now taken on the police claiming that some policemen tried run over him. He has alleged that they were trying to kill him. Once again Delhi Police dismissed it saying that it is nothing but an imagination of the AAP. Bassi said, "There is no reason for the AAP to be paranoid or to be afraid of us."
The AAP now claims that it has a video of the alleged incident in its possession. The latest drama is likely to continue for some more time.
It is a fact that the trust between Delhi government and the police has completely broken down. The AAP is demanding the status of a full pledged state to Delhi. The Centre is denying it on various grounds. As long as Delhi Police is under the direct command and control of the Centre and the AAP is in power, nobody expects a good relationship between AAP and police.
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