There is little need to be detained by Arvind Kejriwal’s fulminations in the wake of the adverse actions taken on the troublesome issue of parliamentary secretaries in his Delhi government. The Aam Aadmi Party is unable to camouflage its persecution complex and takes to invective whenever it fails in its attempts to re-write the rule book in accordance with its own priorities. Hence the functioning of the President and his predecessor have been called into question, and the outgoing Chief Election Commissioner been given an accusation-filled abusive send-off.

All of which are signs of the arrogance and immaturity that caused Anna Hazare to require anyone wanting to join his agitation for agrarian reform to formally distance themselves from political entities. That said, and even as it is noted that the Delhi case was somewhat unique, there is need to call for a fresh and comprehensive judicial determination on the status, authority, numbers etc of the system of parliamentary secretaries and where precisely do they fit in a cabinet system of government.

Similarly the question of what constitutes an “office of profit” requires another look. True there is case-history available, but since each state legislature goes by its own rules there is scope for confusion. Hopefully the legal moves Kejriwal & Co are contemplating will serve as a test case and lay down guidelines for the future. Given the highly confrontationist nature of contemporary politics all possible “grey areas” need removal. At the very least a judicial determination will avert some political controversies.

There is an even more significant test in the offing ~ provided AAP secures no relief in court, the 20 MLAs are disqualified and fresh elections are conducted within the specified time-frame. Kejriwal’s government would not come under threat, the AAPs majority in the House remains intact, but its credibility will definitely be put under the scanner. Such a by-election would be an unexpected curtain-raiser (at least locally) for 2019. The AAP has exhibited several signs of discord recently, its leadership is being questioned in some quarters. A good showing by the party would prove Kejriwal’s worth, perhaps even have both the BJP and Congress take fresh looks at their local prospects for 2019.

Neither of the national parties have made a dent in the AAP in earlier by-elections, the BJP has however retained control of the three municipal corporations. The BJP is in need of a strong local leader; the Delhi voter is unlikely to expect the Prime Minister alone to “deliver”. And the Congress is so riddled with in-fighting that it fails to project itself. The argument that Rahul Gandhi has triggered a Congress resurgence will be put to test ~ along with the polls in other states. The sustainability of the Modi-Shah electoral muscle will be evaluated too ~ a three-in-a-row for AAP will do more than set tongues wagging.