Kejriwal-Lalu hug at Nitish’s swearing in ceremony dominates social media conversation

The occasion was Nitish Kumar’s swearing in ceremony at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, but one photo that is being fervently shared on social media and has become a subject of intense conversation is of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal hugging the former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Kejriwal’s detractors were nimble-footed in posting this photo captured by news agency ANI on twitter mocking the AAP leader for embracing a ‘scam-tainted’ leader.

Since Kejriwal’s arrival in politics was to fight corruption, his detractors pounced on him mocking his ‘double-standard.’

Like this user Chandrabhushan Joshi, who took a dig at Delhi CM sarcastically asking if the fodder scam accused had suddenly become ‘holier’ for him.

The Only honest man in the Universe Kejriwal hugs The Fodder Scam con Lalu Yadav and now Lalu has become Holier ! pic.twitter.com/5udKwCzcPY

— Chandrabhushan Joshi(CJ) (@MatruBhakt) November 20, 2015

Other Kejriwal critics posted similar tweets, such as the following;

@chetan_bhagat Just saw Kejriwal hugging Lalu, nothing could mock the credentials of AAP more!

— captsgarg (@captsgarg) November 20, 2015

https://twitter.com/jhakumarmanoj71/status/667640301205475330

Kejriwal join hands with Lalu. Ranga Siyar can't be in disguised from for long time.
#BiharShowsTheWay

— Devbrata Kumar (@Devbratakumar) November 20, 2015

But AAP supporters can justify Kejriwal supporting Lalu Yadav, as Anna Hazaare is agent of Ambani..Blah..Blah and Blah.

— Bhaiyyaji (@bhaiyyajispeaks) November 20, 2015

But, the aggressive AAP supporters, who enjoy considerable dominance on social media platforms, were equally quick to hit back.

The party’s Mumbai-based spokesperson, Preeti Sharma Menon questioned if politicians should do away with the basic courtesy of hugging when meeting at a government function.

She posted series of tweets to counter the arguments made by ‘bhakts’ ;

People in responsible posts will be courteous to each other. Bhakts can rant, but sensible folks shd stop behavin like thr is an associatn

— Preeti Sharma Menon (@PreetiSMenon) November 20, 2015

At a friend's wedding am courteous to his relatives/friends
Who goes around slapping guests they dislike? https://t.co/2tke17IS0g

— Preeti Sharma Menon (@PreetiSMenon) November 20, 2015

Given the frenzy on twitter about this photo, it’s highly unlikely that the conversation is expected to die down any time soon. Watch this space for more reactions and their counter responses from AAP supporters.