Come December and the dance of democracy begins in Delhi. The elections to the Delhi State Assembly are happening. In the fray are national level biggies 1. Congress 2. BJP and political newbie 3. AAP [Aam Aadmi Party].
Considering opinion polls and the public opinion the AAP is not really a political flyweight in this fairly even triangular contest. With its origins in the IAC [India Against Corruption] Movement and Jan Lokpal Bill Agitations the AAP had strong public support. It was the way for Arvind Kerjiwal to offer a real alternative, a political alternative, to the allegedly corrupt system and their politic masters. How often have we heard that – ‘you need to be a part of the system to change it’! Arvind Kejriwal took the plunge.
Some detractor say Arvind Kejriwal is an opportunist. That he always had political ambitions and used Anna Hazare as a pawn in a larger game plan. Some say the source of funds in his party are dubious. A recent sting operation has accused senior members if AAP of allegedly accepting donations in cash through illegal means for the party. A person also spilled black ink on Arvind Kejriwal during a public address.
All this and also the fact that AAP might eventually cut votes in such a way that it leads to a Hung Assembly is making the News Channels go overdrive. Some people have also been a bit put off by the recent allegations and charges. However I think there is still reason to believe that AAP has its heart in the right place and some of these accusations are either not in the right spirit or are construed by political opponents for electoral advantages.
I am not from Delhi. I don’t have a vote in the upcoming elections. However if I had one I would probably go and vote for AAP. The reasons is simple. We all complaint of corruption, bureaucracy and red tape. In so many years we have never had someone who offered a viable alternative to this malaise. The flip side is that we don’t we will be discouraging another movement like this and condemn ourselves to cribbing for a few more years.
My only point is if we do not support this party this time it will be years till someone else come about with the same vision and manifest. Every time we pick one of Congress or BJP – and we are not happy with what we get – why not give the alternative a chance. It take a lot of courage to stand up and if we are really fed up of the system its the right time to open up to the AAP. If it pays off we could be at the threshold of something even bigger – a movement across the country!
‘Is baar chalaenge Jhaaro’
The Silly Point 