AAP survival

Col J P Singh, Retd
Am Admi Party registered an impressive win in Delhi election denting NaMo wave in the national capital otherwise sweeping North India. It surfaced as an unprecedented phenomenon in Indian Politics and its anchoring in Delhi an unexpected miracle. The event, rare in Indian politics, upset Congress and BJP’s applecart for 2014 general election. Hithertofore yours and mine role finished after we had voted. The elected representatives assumed the role of feudal lords. They became self styled rulers. Overtime they became landlords, stinking rich, arrogant and almighty. They enforced mai-baap culture occasionally  opening charity shops for public. Growing middle class could not tolerate the humiliation from those whom they gave such position. This politics was to be given a befitting burial. Hence erupted what is known as Anna movement. And out of Anna movement was born what is today widely debated and discredited Am Admi Party. Nation was  seeking change since the days of Jayapraksh Narayan which was once again blowing across India. Kejriwal, an anti corruption crusader sensed that nation was fed up with feudalistic maai-baap  culture. During Anna and Nirbhay agitations, he sensed the mood of the nation which was looking for a messiah. He saw Delhi was ripe for plucking and jumped into the fray. He formed a political party and easily won the war. But the day to day battles are becoming difficult and embarrassing as seen in the two days botched up street protest led by him on an issue of vigilantism of his law minister.
On the pretext of busting of an unconfirmed ‘drug and sex racket’ in Khirki  locality, Somnath Bharti led an unruly mid-night mob to raid and humiliate women of foreign nationality. However a police officer defied his instructions to uphold their dignity despite being bullied in public. The fact that African women were to be raided, lends racist and controversial angle to the entire episode causing sustained criticism. Kejriwal demanded suspension of three SHOs. When that was not conceded, he  undertook a dharna falling on the heels of 65th Republic Day, few hundred meters away from the site of celebrations. This unconstitutional initiative stirred the conscious of the nation.  Chief minster’s ill considered utterances and law minister’s racist and bitchy comments came under severe criticism. When called anarchist; Kejriwal owned the compliment to the annoyance of every one. He resounded, ‘yes I am anarchist’. His justification was, when there is no way left for achieving political objectives through constitutional means, such unconstitutional methods are the only way out. His justification seems to be great deal right because none of the political parties follow constitutional methods when it comes to fighting elections and forming govts. Still being a chief minister, an anarchist and chief protester is not a tenable position in any democracy.
On the eve of Republic Day address, the President of India, without naming AAP warned that winning  election does not give one licence  to flirt with illusions. Populist anarchy he said, is no substitute to governance and added that govts are not charity shops and making false promises breed disillusionment which further breed rage targeted at those in power. He exhorted voters to vote with responsibility and elect a govt which can provide stability. He warned that a fractured mandate could be catastrophic. Most of the speech of the widely respected politician President was ‘rap on the knuckles’ of AAP and at the same time a wise counsel for all of us.
The flip side of the controversy is that none of the politician is known to have sacrificed his or her night sleeps for aam admi and none saw Delhi Police as corrupt. Had they followed such activism, deplorable crimes and corruption would have been lesser and Kejriwal unknown. We don’t blame them for ignoring civic activism. Then why discredit AAP for their vigilantism. Right or wrong, more wrong than right, they have spent sleepless nights to fulfil their promises.  They are now facing nightmarish criticism even from middle class  and intellectuals of their own party because they over did it. The entire episode probably was to grab the headlines. Hence self promotion was the motive and what happens to India was none of their concern.
Having formed the govt, there is no going back for Kejriwal from fulfilling his promises in the shortest possible time. Two of his minsters who pressurised the police officers to take action against alleged criminals, have been branded unruly chowkidars, law breakers and criminals. No matter what the compulsion is, a minister cannot behave like a rowdy chowkidar. Law and order is a serious issue in India. Mounting crimes, gang rapes and murders in national capital have shamed the nation. Women security is a cause of concern. The problem appears serious when Delhi govt  has no control over Delhi Police. Still such vigilantism better be avoided because it provokes public to unruly mobocracy creating more law and order problems consequences of which can be as serious as the rise of Naxalism in the national capital. This needs to be curbed by Kejriwal although there is a dilemma before him.  If he has to project himself as an icon of New India, he has to remain in the lime light and has to fulfil his promises. But do we need leaders like him? As of now AAP is basking in its limited success. Kejriwal is young. He has long way to go. In the hindsight, Delhi govt is crowd driven (mobocarcy). To be led by a crowd is certainly not a participative activism. The voice of might may not always be right.  Hope Kejriwal will be able to draw a balance. Even if he is sincere about changing the concept of representative democracy, he can’t pass laws and frame policies in the streets for the world to watch and mock at Indian democracy.
AAP survival depends upon large public support.  Both JP and VP movements spread country wide and attracted prominent opposition parties to make an impact at the national level. The AAP is alone and of course endemic but unlikely to make as much impact as JP and VP movements did country wide. In Delhi it is already in the reverse gear because of Binny and Bharti. It has no institutional party structure such as vice president, general secretary or treasurer to frame and follow AAP agenda. One man show in democracy is likely to flop. If AAP still enters national arena with same structure and agenda, it will certainly be biting more than it can swallow; not a palatable situation for 2014.

Follow our WhatsApp channel