BJP’s Kejriwal is Parrikar! (Herald)

January 4, 2014 NEW DELHI: The Bhartiya Janata Party has come up with the name of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who can take on Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in his austere brand of politics. Financial daily Economic Times says in the midst of Kejriwal's conspicuous assault on the VIP culture, the BJP has rediscovered the virtue of its very own ex-IITian chief minister, who drives himself to work in his own modest small car, doesn't use the red beacon and abjures official accommodation. Kejriwal is also an ex-IITian from Kharagpur while Parrikar is from Mumbai. "The austerity that Kejriwal is demonstrating is a good trend in politics, but it's not new. It has always been the Sangh's culture to comment simple living. In fact we feel that Kejriwal's actions would attract more people to the BJP," spokesman Sudhanshu Trivedi said. The daily said for several days now every time Kejriwal's austerity is mentioned, Parrikar's picture of eating at a humble tea shop in Goa is flashed in response by the BJP. On his party rediscovering his virtues, Parrikar said: "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, it becomes a freebie." He was referring to his decision to reduce petrol prices. He adds that "the debate to have around Kejriwal is whether this is sustainable six months down the line." http://www.oheraldo.in/News/Local%20News/BJP-rsquo-s-Kejriwal-is-Parrikar/83880.html