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India’s most famous female cop is facing the toughest fight of her life: politics India’s most famous female cop is facing the toughest fight of her life: politics
(about 2 hours later)
Kiran Bedi was once India’s first-ranking female police officer who went on to become the first female chief of India’s largest prison. Four years ago, during the 15-day long anti-corruption protest, called India’s Arab Spring by many, she was seen tirelessly waving the national flag and giving fiery speeches.Kiran Bedi was once India’s first-ranking female police officer who went on to become the first female chief of India’s largest prison. Four years ago, during the 15-day long anti-corruption protest, called India’s Arab Spring by many, she was seen tirelessly waving the national flag and giving fiery speeches.
But today, Bedi, 65, is a turncoat to many in that movement. She recently joined the ranks of the governing Bharatiya Janata Party and is opposing her old ally, anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal,  in the Delhi elections on Feb. 7.But today, Bedi, 65, is a turncoat to many in that movement. She recently joined the ranks of the governing Bharatiya Janata Party and is opposing her old ally, anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal,  in the Delhi elections on Feb. 7.
[Related: India’s most famous anti-corruption campaigner is now fighting to stay relevant.][Related: India’s most famous anti-corruption campaigner is now fighting to stay relevant.]
The elections for leadership of India’s capital city are seen as an unofficial referendum of the power of India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, who has been out actively campaigning for his party in the city in recent days.The elections for leadership of India’s capital city are seen as an unofficial referendum of the power of India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, who has been out actively campaigning for his party in the city in recent days.
Bedi was called the BJP’s “master stroke” by many last month when she was named the party's candidate for Delhi chief minister.Bedi was called the BJP’s “master stroke” by many last month when she was named the party's candidate for Delhi chief minister.
The party is hoping that Bedi’s image of tough, no-nonsense cop can counter Kejriwal’s image as the common man's champion. For instance, she came to be known as “Crane Bedi,” after she said she had the car of India’s prime minister towed in 1982 for a traffic violation.The party is hoping that Bedi’s image of tough, no-nonsense cop can counter Kejriwal’s image as the common man's champion. For instance, she came to be known as “Crane Bedi,” after she said she had the car of India’s prime minister towed in 1982 for a traffic violation.
But in the heady election season, that claim and others of her well-known career – which she helped propagate -- have come undone. Last week, she confessed to a television reporter that it was actually a junior traffic officer who had towed away the car.But in the heady election season, that claim and others of her well-known career – which she helped propagate -- have come undone. Last week, she confessed to a television reporter that it was actually a junior traffic officer who had towed away the car.
Since resigning from police service in 2007, Bedi has written a book about the prison reforms she initiated, hosted a reality TV show settling family and neighborhood disputes, and run a nonprofit in a city slum.Since resigning from police service in 2007, Bedi has written a book about the prison reforms she initiated, hosted a reality TV show settling family and neighborhood disputes, and run a nonprofit in a city slum.
Several opinion polls released in the Indian media this week showed that Bedi is trailing Kejriwal, who ran a tumultuous 49-day government in the city in 2013. The two have sparred already on the campaign trail, with Kejriwal calling Bedi a scapegoat for the BJP's impending loss, and Bedi called Kejriwal a disruptive force who flees responsibility.Several opinion polls released in the Indian media this week showed that Bedi is trailing Kejriwal, who ran a tumultuous 49-day government in the city in 2013. The two have sparred already on the campaign trail, with Kejriwal calling Bedi a scapegoat for the BJP's impending loss, and Bedi called Kejriwal a disruptive force who flees responsibility.
“Kejriwal wants to stay in the news all the time,” Bedi told reporters. “I know him from the old days. He thrives on negativity.”“Kejriwal wants to stay in the news all the time,” Bedi told reporters. “I know him from the old days. He thrives on negativity.”
On Wednesday, Bedi – who has a flair for drama --  broke down on the campaign trail in her open jeep, after she visited an old people’s home. “The kind of love I am getting from the people, I have no words to say thank you,” Bedi said. “Our government will serve them, take care of them and give back the love.”On Wednesday, Bedi – who has a flair for drama --  broke down on the campaign trail in her open jeep, after she visited an old people’s home. “The kind of love I am getting from the people, I have no words to say thank you,” Bedi said. “Our government will serve them, take care of them and give back the love.”
But in the bitterly fought contest, even Bedi's tears ‎became the butt of jokes for many Indians on Twitter.
From crane bedi to crying bedi.. Look what BJP has done to this lady... — Sanmit Sarkar (@Sanmit_Sarkar) February 4, 2015
From crane bedi to crying bedi.. Look what BJP has done to this lady...
— Sanmit Sarkar (@Sanmit_Sarkar) February 4, 2015
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