AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal

Aam Aadmi Party ideologue Yogendra Yadav has admitted that the party failed to anticipate the loss of public perception after the episode involving Law Minister Somnath Bharti. "The party came across as shielding someone who has done something wrong,'' Yadav said while appearing on season two of the Right To Be Heard Townhall debate.

In a candid admission, the AAP leader, a leading psephologist, said occasionally the Kejriwal government seems to be in a hurry to do things. "I have told Arvind, let's slow down a bit. But he is too energetic. Difficult to stop him then."

To a question about what mistakes had been made by the Kejriwal government, since it came to power in December-end, Yadav said "I do feel we have tried too much. Anxiety, the pressure of being in public gaze has created artificial pressure on the government. We have had a lot to learn."

He also said the AAP could do without the public attention its getting. "Half of the things we do are not worth the publicity it gets. I feel a lot of things must happen outside the public gaze."

Yadav hit out at some indiscreet remarks made by AAP leaders, particularly Somnath Bharti. He said the party was upset and dealt with these leaders. Yadav said on day one itself, after Bharti went on a midnight raid against African women, AAP should have set the record straight. Instead, it led to loss of perception, which is a vital factor in a democracy. Facing a barrage of questions on why the party had defended Bharti, Yadav said there was no evidence to show that the minister's actions were racist. He said there was nothing 'vigilante' in what Bharti had done as the minister had called police even as he was seeking action against the alleged prostitution and drug racket involving Africans.

The AAP leader also tried to defend Arvind Kejriwal's 'dharna' seeking action against Delhi Police. He said Kejriwal had not defied the law in doing that. "You should ask the police why Section 144 was imposed when a Chief Minister was going to meet the Home Minister? The dharna was much needed. It was to protest against an absurdity written into the governance for Delhi. It was a small but symbolic victory for the people of Delhi."

Yadav also defended the Kejriwal government's decision to replace officials, saying these were bureaucrats who were loyal to a particular regime for 15 years. On the AAP government being questioned on its governance style, Yadav said "We forget that the root to constitutional power flows from the street. Dialogue from street to secretariat has to happen."

He defended the AAP government's policy of opposing FDI in retail. Yadav said the decision was taken after the AAP valued the real damage to small retailers in comparison to the imagined benefits it would bring. "We are agnostic. The last person in the country is our goal. The Centre has said on FDI in retail, states have the discretion. In Delhi's context we felt it was not needed," he said. Yadav, however, admitted that the AAP had not fully developed its economic policies.

The AAP leader also lashed out at the Ambani-led BYPL for trying to hold Delhi hostage on the power situation. He said the Delhi government was ready with several options if it was forced to cancel the license of the Ambani company.

Yadav also clarified on what he said about Khaps. He said most caste/community organisations did routine justice through consensus. This was fine. But if the Khaps used coercion or ordered killings, it was simply not acceptable.

For the full interview, please watch Headlines Today on Saturday, 8th February, at 8:00 pm and 11:00 pm.

Repeat telecast on Sunday, 9th February at 11:00 am and 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm.

