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