How Should AAP Play It in The Centre

AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME – PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY

The manner and intensity with which the enthusiasm of the youth and others is evident in support of the Arvind Kejriwal lead AAP in the urban and semi urban spread of the country, it is most likely that there will be an extremely fractured mandate given to the national and regional political parties in the coming 2014 General Elections. This, though a welcome indication, of the people of the country having at last found their spine by identifying with the most people friendly and honest political option, which the AAP has given to the near moribund and desperate Indian society, must be understood in the context of ‘ who should form the government in the Centre’? The outcome of the Delhi assembly elections and the formation of the state government with Mr Arvind Kejriwal as its hon’ble chief minister, has become the driver of the national upsurge of support for and identifying with the ideals and philosophy of an anti corruption AAP, in an enduring spirit of participatory democracy. This people’s wave and political movement in support of AAP, which could definitively impact the outcome in the share of seats in the Lok Sabha, which the two major national political parties will get, will pose a problem for the BJP and its allies in the NDA to form the government, with Narendra Modi as its Prime Minister. It is very unlikely that the BJP and its pre poll allies will be in a position to make a claim for the formation of a stable government, even while they may emerge as the largest alliance. There is a likelihood of a déjà vu at the Centre, as it happened in Delhi in the assembly elections, where BJP despite being the single largest party was unable to get a simple majority and prevent Arvind from becoming the chief minister.

In the event of this most expected likelihood in the outcome of results of the General Elections, which could force another election on the country, it will be in the best interests of all stakeholders that AAP extend support to the NDA, from within or without. The choice of this could well be left to the situation as it stands real time, then. The presence of elected AAP members who could well be first time parliamentarians in the Lok Sabha, will not only bring in fresh faces but a vibrancy that rejoices in the splendor of probity and an endearing spirit of selflessness and servant hood. This attitude will emphatically rub off on others in the treasury and opposition benches of the House, who are cynical about honesty and simplicity in public life and will therefore usher in a much awaited change, whose time has come. Given Mr Narendra Modi’s credentials and experience in governance as also his ability to establish a connect with the masses, who are influenced by his rhetorical oratory and loaded innuendos on the ruling government and its ministers including the Prime Minister, is a Hobson’s choice which must get exercised. It is too early for the AAP to be burdened with the onus of forming the government in the Centre, consequent to the 2014 elections. The opportunity should instead be used by the AAP parliamentarians to evolve and learn the nuances and the nuts and bolts of governance from the council of ministers and the craft and wiles of Mr Narendra Modi. This learning curve would stand the AAP members in good stead in the years to come and for the coming elections. Moreover, the seats which are won by the AAP candidates will engender the performance and chances of the party in the state elections, as and when and where these are held in the coming years. The Lok Sabha elections should be used by AAP not only for ushering in a climate of probity in governance but also to enhance their chances of forming

governments in those states where elections are due. It is the credibility of AAP and its acceptability across the length and breadth of the country, which will get substantially influenced and impacted by the outcome of the results of the Lok Sabha elections.

With the governments in the states being from political parties other than AAP, with the exception of Delhi, the thumb rule for the prospective candidates who contest the elections for the Lok Sabha should be to trumpet the ‘mantra’ of cleaning the system of the virus and cancer of corruption in most walks of public life in their respective constituencies. This is the most cogent and desirable slogan pronounced with conviction and sincerity, which the people are waiting to hear from their representatives. This is not the time to factor in local issues in their pronouncements and speeches, because these are actually quite beyond their control and ambit in a substantial manner, given the presence of existing legislators not willing to yield their turf to anyone. Any sign or show of exaggerated enthusiasm to address local issues and make a promise to resolve these, which essentially are not within their charge, will tantamount to making false and motivated claims, that when not delivered as promised will snowball into distrust and a loss of faith and be detrimental to the interests of AAP. The AAP candidates must maintain their exclusivity to address the issue of corruption as it obtains within the tiers of both the polity and the bureaucracy, in their respective parliamentary constituency. Because, it is the virus of corruption, which has essentially derailed the system of governance in most walks of public life and is the biggest affliction that irks, frustrates, angers and disgusts the people.

With a view to put a premium on our National interests, it will be best for AAP to support the NDA in the formation of a government at the Centre and use this opportunity to not only rein in corruption but also make its views, opinions and statements in stopping of Corporate Funding to  Political Parties, the Economic Development and Agricultural Growth of the Country, Investing in Infrastructure Development, Water Management, Energy Security, Poverty- Human Deprivation and its Alleviation, Fighting Terrorism, National Security, Centre – State Relations, Relations with Neighboring Countries etc. India is poised at the intersection of hope and despair, which participatory democracy and a tight leash on rampant corruption can slowly transform into a situation, which actualizes its potential and capacity.

Brig S D Dangwal  

Sena Bahulya Pradesh - Shashan Mein Bhagidari

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH THE TOUGH GET GOING - LOK SABHA ELECTIONS IN UTTARAKHAND

It was some time back that, in my correspondences with Arvind Kejriwal about the state of things as these obtained in the country and the pathetic rhetoric and acts of realpolitik, which had besieged and overtaken any meaningful and visionary politics in the national domain, that he was confident and optimistic about a revolution and a change happening. My disgust and cynicism was premised on my understanding of the helplessness,  which had taken a bone crushing grip on the people of the country who were ensnared by the political system, that had embedded and entrenched itself in the past 64 years since independence and become a precursor of doom than hope. The only way, which gave hope to me was the outbreak of anarchy and a revolution, which settled with a military takeover or a dictatorship. But, Arvind and his courage to take the political satraps of the two national political parties in the elections for the assembly in the National Capital Region ( NCR) of Delhi, was the revolution and change that he was confident about. He, when challenged to enter politics and bring about the change, which he and his supporters were demanding from the political leadership of the country from the outside as citizens, took the dare and launched his own party, AAP. His gumption was steeped in the support and will of the people of an inclusive society comprising the poor, the underprivileged, the marginalized minority, and the burgeoning middle class as also the well heeled and rich who were equally suffering from the arrogance, political subterfuge and callousness of the government. That, the AAP has formed the government in Delhi with Arvind as its chief minister is a political miracle, which none had ever expected but is now history.

The success of AAP and the belief in participatory democracy, which it has brought into the heart and minds of the people, is the bigger narrative that is slowly and surely playing out in the country. With the coming general elections to the Lok Sabha scheduled in phases from April to May 2014, the youth and most other hapless and desperate people who have lost hope in the democratic system as it exists in the country, are simply gung ho on the likelihood of candidates of the AAP contesting from as many parliamentary constituencies and eating into the huge pie of 543 seats, that will be contested. The AAP being an embryonic political outfit must keep it simple and in keeping with what its national leader professes, servant hood with courage, humility and individual dignity. It is important that members and elected representatives of AAP do not get embroiled and inveigled into pontificating on various important, critical and sundry national issues and debates, which are aired in the public domain and are the electronic media’s oxygen, now. But instead wait, be patient with themselves and assert their integrity and intentions with solidarity and celebrate and share the belief of participative democracy, as best they can. After all it is not as if the country is going to come to a grinding halt in the absence of inputs from the AAP. The bureaucracy, technocrats, corporate houses and service providers who essentially are charged to run the affairs of the State and the Nation and do business, respectively will give adequate time and space to the new political dispensation to embed itself, grasp the nuances of governance, reflect upon policy making and take stock of the gaps which impact National interests and articulate effective measures to bridge these.

Uttarakhand returns five MPs to the Lok Sabha and it is an excellent opportunity for the AAP to contest all these seats in the coming elections. The massive and unfortunate disaster which befell the State in Jun 2013 and the suffering it has brought to the people of the hills, is a telling tale of the misgovernance and corruption, that the people of Uttarakhand have suffered at the hands of the two political parties which have steered its fortunes ever since its formation. None can come clear on this charge of lack of vision and humongous corruption at various levels of its political leadership and tiers of its supplicant bureaucracy. It is an open secret that, the previous and present governments have illegitimately profited from the coffers of the State and also from the dubious deals in real estate. The Disaster Relief Management Organization, which was to spontaneously act and help restore the situation during the devastation which struck Kedarnath, Rambara, Gaurikund, Guptkashi, Rudraprayag, Srinagar, Pithoragarh and Uttarkashi was more of a disaster itself and has been taken to the cleaners by many an informed persons.  Had it not been for the derring-do acts of the personnel of the army, air force, para military forces and the state police to some extent, the tragedy in loss of human lives could have been manifold more. When it came to the relief and rehabilitation work subsequently, many NGOs and civil society organizations and corporate houses as part of their responsibility towards society, put their best foot forward and are continuing to provide what best relief these can in terms of resources and material to those affected in the disaster. The Uttarakhand Ex Servicemen League (UESL) is one such organization, which is registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 and has done, and continues to do yeoman service for the afflicted people of the areas, which were struck by the unfortunate tragedy. The guiding spirit of this effort and initiative has been Brig (retd) Rajender Singh Rawat, Vishisht Seva Medal who is the secretary of UESL. There are many more such ex servicemen in the towns, villages and interior regions of Uttarakhand who have selflessly committed themselves to public service, without any obligation, expectation, monetary compensation or else favor. This is the spirit which identifies with the philosophy and thought process of the AAP and with which these veterans have performed for the good of their people. Therefore, it is people like these who risked their lives and who dug deep into their pockets which has only their pension to draw from, who should now participate in the political resurgence of Uttarakhand and make it fulfill the aspirations and ambitions of its people. The opportunity is huge and must be availed of, not for position, power or else status but simply service and providing a corruption free government. The State which is considered to be a ‘Sena Bahulya Pradesh’ must have a commensurate stake in its governance by these veterans, who are its shining glory. The outcome and the success of those who contest the coming Lok Sabha elections from the ex servicemen fraternity, will usher in a wave of desirable change and success in the Vidhan Sabha elections, as and when these are held. The AAP has a huge ground swell of support in the cities and upper reaches of Garhwal and Kumaon and all that is awaited is a deserving candidate from each of the five constituencies of Uttarakhand. Victory is assured, provided the AAP considers extending the date for the filing of candidature of those who are keen to contest and make it 30^th instead of 15^th Jan 2014.

The Ex Servicemen community of Uttarakhand is proud of the game changer in Indian politics, that Arvind Kejriwal and his team have turned out to be and put a huge premium on the participation of as many ex servicemen in the ranks of General, Brigadier, Colonel, Major, Captain and Personal Below Officer Rank (PBOR).

Brigadier (retd) S D Dangwal