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Anti-corruption party sparks drama in New Delhi Anti-corruption party sparks drama in New Delhi
(about 1 hour later)
NEW DELHI — The heart of India’s capital city was again gridlocked Tuesday, with police and protesters clashing during the second day of a standoff between police and the city’s chief minister. NEW DELHI — The heart of India’s capital city was gridlocked Tuesday, with police and protesters clashing during the second day of a standoff between police and the city’s chief minister.
Activist Arvind Kejriwal swept to power on a wave of anti-corruption sentiment just over three weeks ago, but now he is back on the streets, leading a protest that has roiled the city core. Major roads were blocked, subway stations closed and commuters stuck in traffic. Tensions heightened through the day Tuesday as the crowd swelled, with some protesters jumping barricades and throwing stones. A handful of officers and civilians suffered injuries. Activist Arvind Kejriwal swept to power on a wave of anti-corruption sentiment just over three weeks ago, but on Tuesday he was back on the streets, leading a protest against alleged police misconduct that roiled the city core. Major roads were blocked, subway stations closed and commuters were stuck in traffic. Tensions heightened through the day as the crowd swelled, with some protesters jumping barricades and throwing stones. A handful of officers and civilians were injured.
Late in the day, a jubilant Kejriwal — nursing a cough and swathed in a head scarf — emerged to say he had decided to call off the protest after police officials agreed to place some officers on leave.
“The people of Delhi have won today,” he said as his supporters cheered.
 An unprecedented scene had unfolded on the street Tuesday just steps from parliament as the chief minister sat inside his small blue car away from the clamor, holding meetings and reading and signing government documents. Supporters pressed their faces against the windows and took pictures as he worked. Kejriwal and about 400 others had slept on mattresses overnight on the street, braving the wet winter chill. The two-day protest had delayed and inconvenienced thousands.
“This is madness,” said Sushma Sharma, 52,  a government employee who works near the site. “We want our chief minister to govern and bring order to the street, not create more unrest. This is irresponsible.”“This is madness,” said Sushma Sharma, 52,  a government employee who works near the site. “We want our chief minister to govern and bring order to the street, not create more unrest. This is irresponsible.”
An unrepentant Kejriwal — nursing a cough and swathed in a head scarf — rallied hundreds from the upstart Aam Aadmi Party, vowing that the protest could continue through the country’s Republic Day on Sunday, when India celebrates with flag-waving and a military parade. But in an interview Tuesday, Kejriwal rejected such criticism.
“Who is saying that I am spreading chaos?” Kejriwal said in an interview. “Who are all these people who are saying I am spreading anarchy? If staging a peaceful sit-in makes me an anarchist, then yes, I am an anarchist.” “Who is saying that I am spreading chaos?” Kejriwal said. “Who are all these people who are saying I am spreading anarchy? If staging a peaceful sit-in makes me an anarchist, then yes, I am an anarchist.”
 An unprecedented scene unfolded on a street Tuesday as the chief minister sat inside his small blue hatchback car, holding meetings and reading and signing government documents. Supporters pressed their faces against the windows and took pictures as he worked. Kejriwal and about 400 others had slept on mattresses overnight on the street, braving the wet winter chill.
The tension began last week, when one of Kejriwal’s cabinet ministers and supporters descended upon a Delhi neighborhood they said was beset by prostitution and drug-dealing. The cabinet minister ordered police to begin making arrests and the officers refused, saying they lacked the proper warrants. Four African women later said they were roughed up by Aam Aadmi supporters in the early-morning raid, prompting rebukes from African diplomats.The tension began last week, when one of Kejriwal’s cabinet ministers and supporters descended upon a Delhi neighborhood they said was beset by prostitution and drug-dealing. The cabinet minister ordered police to begin making arrests and the officers refused, saying they lacked the proper warrants. Four African women later said they were roughed up by Aam Aadmi supporters in the early-morning raid, prompting rebukes from African diplomats.
“If my workers behaved badly with the Ugandans, I apologize. Let there be a probe and let them be tried. But at least take action against the drug and prostitution racket that’s going on,” Kejriwal said. Kejriwal was also critical of police handling of the high-profile gang-rape this month of a Danish tourist and was demanding that authority over police be transferred to the Delhi government. New Delhi, a city of 16 million, functions as a state, but it is actually a union territory with a police force overseen by the central government. Late Tuesday, it appeared that the government had conceded partially to his demands, placing officers involved in the two cases on temporary leave.
Kejriwal said the protest would continue until the four officers were removed from their posts; he’s also asking that authority over police be transferred to the Delhi government. Delhi, a city of 16 million, functions as a state, but it is actually a union territory with a police force overseen by the central government. The government has said the officers will not be disciplined.
Kejriwal was a well-known activist who had crusaded against government corruption when he founded the Aam Aadmi (Common Man) Party in 2012. After the party surprised the traditional political establishment by performing well in the Delhi elections in December, their ranks have swelled by thousands amid hopes that they could compete in national elections this spring.Kejriwal was a well-known activist who had crusaded against government corruption when he founded the Aam Aadmi (Common Man) Party in 2012. After the party surprised the traditional political establishment by performing well in the Delhi elections in December, their ranks have swelled by thousands amid hopes that they could compete in national elections this spring.
But critics say that the party’s performance in recent days has raised questions about their ability to govern. In his first days in office, Kejriwal has riled the political establishment by refusing police protection and moving to block expansion of foreign investment in the city.But critics say that the party’s performance in recent days has raised questions about their ability to govern. In his first days in office, Kejriwal has riled the political establishment by refusing police protection and moving to block expansion of foreign investment in the city.
Manish Tewari, minister of state for information and broadcasting, said that the party has been unable to make the transition from agitators to administrators, adding that they are “reducing administration to anarchy and governance to gimmickry.”Manish Tewari, minister of state for information and broadcasting, said that the party has been unable to make the transition from agitators to administrators, adding that they are “reducing administration to anarchy and governance to gimmickry.”
During Tuesday’s protests, Neeru Nanda, a 66-year-old retired civil servant from the Delhi government, argued with some Aam Aadmi members, saying that the chaotic scene near the parliament was making her uncomfortable. During Tuesday’s protests, Neeru Nanda, a 66-year-old retired civil servant from the Delhi government, argued with some Aam Aadmi members, saying that the chaotic scene near the parliament made her uncomfortable.
“We all supported and worked to make AAP come to power. We wanted a good man to be the chief minister of Delhi, and Kejriwal is a good man. But I must say I am a little disappointed and am uncomfortable with what is going on now,” Nanda said. “It is time to govern. If you want to continue protesting, then sit in the opposition.”“We all supported and worked to make AAP come to power. We wanted a good man to be the chief minister of Delhi, and Kejriwal is a good man. But I must say I am a little disappointed and am uncomfortable with what is going on now,” Nanda said. “It is time to govern. If you want to continue protesting, then sit in the opposition.”
But many support Kejriwal’s stand against Delhi police, who are often disparaged for taking bribes and other misdeeds. Tuesday, the union of street vendors extended their support to the protest.But many support Kejriwal’s stand against Delhi police, who are often disparaged for taking bribes and other misdeeds. Tuesday, the union of street vendors extended their support to the protest.
Vinoo Samuel, 49, a Web designer, also defended Kejriwal. Vinoo Samuel, 49, a Web designer, also defended Kejriwal.
“He’s doing things differently because that is the only way the old order will change. ... We have become too used to things making no difference one way or the other, so any action is seen as disturbing. I don’t think Delhi cops or corruption will change without some kind of drastic action.” “He’s doing things differently because that is the only way the old order will change,” Samuel said. “We have become too used to things making no difference one way or the other, so any action is seen as disturbing. I don’t think Delhi cops or corruption will change without some kind of drastic action.”