BJP pits Goa CM Manohar Parrikar against Arvind Kejriwal in austere brand of politics

NEW DELHI: The 2014 elections were supposed to be a presidential run off between BJP’s Narendra Modi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, the emergence of Arvind Kejriwal and his austere brand of politics has meant however that the BJP is casting about for someone to take on the Delhi chief minister in competitive austerity. The name they have come up with is Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar.

Ever since Kejriwal’s conspicuous assault on VIP culture has been hogging the headlines the BJP has rediscovered the virtues of its very own ex-IITian chief minister, who drives himself to work in his own modest small Maruti car, doesn’t use the red beacon and abjures official accommodation.

“This austerity that Kejriwal is demonstrating is a good trend in politics, but its not new. Its always been the Sangh’s culture to commend simple living. In fact we feel that Kejriwal’s actions would attract more people to the BJP,” said party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi.

For several days now everytime Kejriwal’s austerity is mentioned, Parrikar’s picture, eating at a humble tea shop in Goa is flashed in response by the BJP.

Parrikar spoke to ET about these comparisons and his own party’s rediscovery of his virtues. “The party knows what I am like, I don’t want to speak on that issue. I do however want to point out that when Kejriwal provides free water and aims to cut electricity bills, it becomes subsidy. When BJP does it, (referring to his government’s decision to reduce petrol prices) it becomes a freebie,” he told ET.

“The debate to have around Kejriwal is whether this (his decisions on free water) is sustainable six months down the line. Give the man time to prove other wise,” he added.