What exactly took place when Kejriwal met Modi

They have always been seen as bitter competitors and fierce opponents of each other. Arvind Kejriwal is the audacious street fighter trying to take on Narendra Modi, the man who became the king. Going by their experiences so far, most were expecting the first meeting between Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejriwal to be a formal, icy affair, but contrary to speculations, the meeting went off rather well. Here is how the 15 minute meeting panned out.

As the clock struck 9.30am, to-be Delhi CM Kejriwal descended down from the fourth floor apartment of his Kaushambi residence, sat in his Innova, and accompanied with his new police escort vehicles, set off for the most significant meeting of the day. On the way, he picked up Manish Sisodia, set to be Delhi's deputy CM, to 7 Race Course Road. In the car, both discussed the issues they wanted to raise with the PM. They reached around 10.20am and sat in the waiting room, where they were reminded by the protocol officer of their meeting at Gujarat CM residence in Gandhinagar on April 8, 2014. Kejriwal at the time wanted to meet the then Gujarat CM, but was denied the meeting.

All that bitterness was soon brushed aside when they entered the meeting room and saw Modi waiting for them. The PM greeted both of them. They shook hands. "Aieye Arvindji... kaise ho Manish?... Bahaut, bahaut badhaiya, aapko badhiya mandate mila hai... Accha kaam kijiyega." Both Kejriwal and Manish politely smiled and thanked the PM, who then presented them with bouquets. Tea was brought in and Kejriwal invited the prime minister to his swearing-in ceremony. To which the PM said he would have liked to attend, but had a prior engagement, and so would not be able to make it.

Then it was time for some serious conversation. Kejriwal initiated the Delhi being awarded the full statehood issue. Sisodia took over to explain. "Hum dono ka poorn bahumat mila hai, sheher kai bhagon mein banta hua hai... logon ki life banti hui hai... ye ek golden opportunity hai... we request you to consider full statehood. Central government ko national, international issues sambhalne hote hain, aur hum Delhi sambhal sakte hain..."

The PM heard them patiently and smiled. "Democracy mein kuch bhi permanent nahi hai... hum isper vichar karenge."

Kejriwal asked the PM, how was his experience in running the government so far. "Humare bhi apney compulsions hai. Rajya Sabha mein kai bill pass nahi ho pa rahe." To which Sisodia said, "Sir umeed hai aapko Rajya Sabha mein bhi bahumat mil hee jaega." Haan agar late hoga... chaar saal baad ho paega to bahaut saare bade kaam aisey hai jo samay sey nahi ho paenge." Kejriwal said, "Aapkey sahyog ki zaroorat hogi..."

Modi said, "Sahyog rahega, shubh kamnaye."

At this moment, they got up and shook hands again and left the room. PM sat down again, perhaps waiting for another meeting. And so began another day for Modi and a prelude to a historic swearing-in for Kejriwal.