Why did AAP really stage this 'political drama', asks BJP

The standoff between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Delhi Police finally ended on Tuesday after two policemen were sent on leave pending inquiries against them. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called it the first step towards his party's goal of achieving full statehood for Delhi.

At the Centre, the Congress heaped praise on Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde for resolving the crisis while the BJP termed the dharna a political drama. "Was this political drama staged to send two police officers on leave," questioned Delhi BJP leader Vijay Goel.

Also Read: No sex racket runs without Delhi Police's knowledge: Del CM

Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi too hit out at AAP calling for action against Kejriwal. "A climb down for CM of Delhi! From seeking suspensions of 4 to only 1 going on leave! Erring Ministers stay on regardless! Unjust, shameful! I agree with Arun Jaitley there are two losers in anarchical Dharna concluded..Aam Aadmi Party and Congress party which is being held to ransom! We are living in a country where law is proven to be applied selectively. An anarchist CM has got away violating the law blatantly! Shame! What if judicial enquiry indicts the law minister of Delhi. Will Delhi CM go back to Anarchy to save him? Or will he release him of duties," Bedi tweeted.

"The people of Delhi have won today. Our demands have been partially accepted. We will continue our struggle to get the Delhi Police under state control. We have decided to end the protest," said Kejriwal on Tuesday with the Delhi Police agreeing to send police officers, whom the AAP accused of stonewalling, on leave.

The police for its part tried to save face by stating that there was no compromise. "I have been told that the SHO concerned has applied for leave," said Special Commissioner Dipak Mishra.

But the AAP's gains came at a cost. Raisina Road, near Parliament, had in the past two days become a battleground, as AAP supporters clashed with the Delhi Police leaving several people injured.

Meanwhile, former police officers and authors have also come out against the AAP over the dharna. "I need to tell you what are the crimes the Delhi Law Minister has committed, the Chief Minister has committed. Just because they are in positions, you think they can be condoned of crimes? The Delhi Law Minister is guilty of assault, obstruction to public servant doing his duty, he is guilty of defamation, he is guilty of criminal intimidation. The Chief Minister is guilty of sedition. He is a self proclaimed anarchist for whom Republic Day means nothing," said former Joint Commissioner of Police Maxwell Pereira.

Author Chetan Bhagat accused the AAP of playing games. "They are playing a game, the same game that communal people play with religion, you are playing with class. One day people are going to figure it out. It may work for a while but you are being very short sighted. People will figure out," he said.

With the police in retreat, and a climbdown from the AAP, order has been restored. But the issue of control over the Delhi Police still remains.