Rude MLAs Must Be Pulled Up

GANAPATHI BHAT, AKOLA

Politician and power form a heady cocktail. Look at Akash Vijayvargiya, the first-time BJP legislator from Indore. The man beat a government servant doing his duty of anti-encroachment drive. A government servant follows the orders of his superior or the government higher-ups. But what did this Akash Vijayvargiya do? He came with a load of supporters, ‘warned’ the official against the drive, and when the latter did not relent, the member of legislature thrashed the municipality government officer with a cricket bat. He was remanded to custody and later released on bail. He was given a rousing reception on release. Sweets were distributed, there were garlands galore and he was welcomed traditionally at the party office and home. The shameless legislator went on to declare he would not hesitate to pick up the bat again and ‘prayed’ God not to give him an opportunity to do so. From where do these first-time MLAs acquire such haughtiness? Akash is the son of a famous father – Kailash Vijayvargiya, a senior Madhya Pradesh BJP leader. So what, an innocent child may ask. But an adult in India knows well about the ‘side effects’ of being so – to the people, of course. Akash’s emboldenment surely comes from his father’s control over things.     Some have laughingly gone on to suggest Akash’s past history of being a ‘rowdy element’. Then why he was given a party ticket to contest, one may ask. The danger of being arrogant is that the man considers himself to be perfect only to be prevented from being a perfect individual. Most likely, an arrogant person’s ignorance and incompetence accompany him. Going by the party’s past history, one is sure nothing much will be done to pull up the MLA.