Last January (2014); most Indians, sitting on their white thrones (so I guess), going about their morning business with ease - thanks to a laxative called the morning newspaper - must have been analyzing the score card of the Delhi Government run by Chief Minister Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) . The political party had selected the broom as its logo, promised clean politics and cleaner governance. The ideology was exactly what the common man (aam aadmi) wanted in place and rewarded the party with an election result that just fell short of absolute majority. Propped up by the Congress; a party it opposed - blaming it for the woes of India - AAP formed a government that ruled the State for exactly 49 days. Those 49 days made for great news delivering high drama virtually every day. Knowing well that AAP would not achieve much as a minority, and having assumed that the show put on for 49 days was sensational enough to get him sufficient national fame and endearment to become the king slayer at a national level; he and his government resigned blaming both BJP and Congress for not allowing his team to function. In reality the move was aimed at mobilizing resources to fight national elections; which he thought would deliver a result where a government at the center without AAP would not be possible for either BJP or the Congress. But, the electorate had reached a different conclusion. That is, AAP was too anarchic in its approach to sit in opposition party and certainly not govern any public body based on the immaturity shown in the 49 days. Mr. Kejriwal himself along with his trusted merry men lost the elections with AAP winning 3 seats from the over 400 contested by it.
So much for history. Mr. Narendra Modi and the BJP won a majority victory to form the government at the center and slowly but surely went on to prove that his management skills could extend beyond running a State. This January, most Delhiites, sitting on their white thrones (so I guess), going about their morning business with ease - thanks to a laxative called the morning newspaper - are analyzing the score card of Prime Minister Modi and his government to understand if his party is suited to run the State as well. While Mr. Modi may have hijacked the broom as a symbol for his "Swach Bharat Abhiyan" (Clean India Initiative); his cleaning up of his own party and supporters is drawing a lot of flak. Just like AAP had several of its members shoot rubbish from their mouth that contradicted the very ideology that won it the government of Delhi; so are the members of the BJP, VHP and RSS going about spilling dirt on the national canvas - some of it is quite dangerous to the point of sedition. While the PM has come out strongly against the "rogues" within his circle of influence; there are quite a few who believe that the fire is being stoked by none other than the PM himself as no none today dare stand up to him. I certainly don't believe it; but I do believe that the BJP is in for a surprise if it thinks Delhi elections will be a walkover for it.
It seems the people of Delhi may be ready to forgive Mr. Kejriwal and his new improved AAP that is harping less and less on the anarchic rhetoric. But, it's still focused on bringing down its opposition with allegations and accusations when the people want to really know how will AAP govern the State if given a second chance. It maybe one of the smallest States in the nation; but it is a very important one based on its location. The Capital Region has several administrative issues that prevent it from functioning as a full fledged State. It's one State where even its police force is not under its own command. The BJP now have two former AAP ladies in its fold and one of them; a giant slayer in her own right (Kiran Bedi) may be pitched as the choice for CM. She can walk her talk and can sweep the carpet off right under AAP's feet. Until AAP makes itself clear on what it stands on or rather for now; the people will not be willing to be embraced by the AAP broom anytime soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment