Kapil Mishra – Gone in 2 Months

How many of you heard about Kapil Mishra’s removal from the post of Delhi Law Minister?

Many I am sure.

How many of you believe that it is a routine cabinet reshuffle?

Many I am sure

How many of you have heard about the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) Tanker Scam?

Not many is my best guess.

The Indian Media is savoring the many flavors of a scrumptious dish called Indrani Mukherjea Case while maintaining a near complete silence on the Kapil Mishra case. The case that has the potential to uncover the anti-corruption mask of the essence of honesty, Shri Arvind Kejriwal.

Kapil Mishra rose to prominence in the Aam Aadmi Party after beating his opponent with a huge margin of 44431 votes from the Karawal Nagar constituency in the Delhi Assembly Elections 2015. Kapil Mishra was appointed minister for law, tourism, water, art and culture and Gurdwara Elections in June this year, after Jitender Singh Tomar resigned following his arrest on charges of faking educational certificates. And barely two months after he was appointed the Delhi Law Minister, Mishra was relieved of the portfolio by CM Kejriwal.

There are two versions of the story doing rounds of the internet:

AAP’s version: The AAP’s version itself has two contradicting accounts. Gopal Rai, senior AAP leader stated that Kapil Mishra’s tenure as the DJB chairman was exceptional hence he has been relieved of the law portfolio to help him focus more on solving Delhi’s water woes. However an Indian Express article cites “Many in the AAP felt that a senior minister was required to handle the law portfolio as Mishra – who joined Kejriwal’s Cabinet after Tomar’s exit – was “still very new”.

BJP’s version: Delhi BJP President Satish Upadhyay smelled a political ploy in the Cabinet reshuffle. He mentioned that said Mishra had indicated that the DJB tanker scam inquiry is complete and he has solid proofs against Sheila Dixit Government. He intended to seek Kejriwal’s approval to file a FIR against Dixit and other accused. Upadhyay termed the ‘ouster’ of Kapil Mishra, a clear proof to indicate the nexus between Arvind Kejriwal and the Congress party.

Of course the ruling party will defend its moves and the opposition will question the Government’s motives but in between these two versions, there is a letter addressed to Arvind Kejriwal by none other than Kapil Mishra himself.

Here’s the full text of it:

Dear Sir,

Please find attached a Report by ‘The fact-finding committee on Water Tanker Distribution management system’

I had formed this committee on 19th June 2015 immediately after taking oath as Minister of Water” in your cabinet

People have voted us to Power after a massive anti-corruption movement after your inspiring leadership made them believe that corruption can be eradicated.

This report is self-explanatory and exposes how the then DJB chairman and Chief Minister Sheila Dixit Ji and other board members have consistently laws and rules to cause a loss of almost 400 crores to Delhi Jal Board

…. This is a big expose and I am afraid that immediately after this expose, there will be attempts to destabilize our govt in Delhi and also to remove me from this chair.

I have gone to Rajghat this morning and I am signing on this report with no fear whatsoever in Mind

Since the day I have joined the Aam Aadmi Party, I have seen many of our workers losing their jobs, livelihoods and even life in this fight against corruption.

I am drawing my inspiration from all of them.

I would like to thank you for your support and Guidance in this fight against Corruption.

Regards,

Kapil Mishra

Notice the phrases highlighted in bold. Kapil Mishra was afraid that he may end up losing up his job because of this expose. And he was writing this with “no fear whatsoever” in mind. I am not sure if Kapil Mishra was afraid of AAP Insiders or Congress or BJP or Arvind Kejriwal himself.

There are some points to ponder over in the DJB Scam and Kapil Mishra episode:

1. The cabinet reshuffle immediately followed the expose by Kapil Mishra
2. Kapil Mishra’s letter reeks of his apprehensions and fears
3. Arvind Kejriwal is currently rooting for the Nitish-Lalu alliance in Bihar of which Congress is an integral part of

Kapil Mishra has refused to comment on the episode (check the aforementioned IE link). But to me, Satish Upadhyay’s version sounds more convincing. And if it is indeed true, I feel sorry for the gullible Delhi voters who voted against Congress to bring AAP into power, this time with a historical majority.