Arvind Kejriwal, a former tax officer, became prominent during the anti-graft campaign in India in 2012. He launched the Aam Admi Party in 2013 as an alternative to India's two major political forces - the BJP and Congress - and secured 28 of the 70 assembly seats in Delhi in the subsequent state elections.
After 49 days in power of the state, he stepped down holding himself accountable for the fact that he was unable to pass the Janlokpal Bill. However, it was a fairytale return for a party and a leader who had been written off by everyone after the 49-day rule in Delhi. But soon after the Lok Sabha election disaster, the much-maligned Aam Aadmi Party and its founder-leader Arvind Kejriwal started the ground work to regain Delhi's trust. In the Delhi Assembly polls held on 07 February of this year, the AAP crushed the BJP and the Congress, and bagged 67 of the total 70 Assembly seats.
The election result of the ruling BJP was a nightmare. It could manage only three seats. Nine months ago, the party had swept the capital's seven Lok Sabha seats and was the single largest party in assembly elections held in December 2013 with 31 seats. On the other hand, the Congress which ruled Delhi for 15 years was wiped out.
Political experts identified several reasons behind the landslide victory of Kejriwal who has turned into a charismatic leader from an anti-graft activist. He sought an apology to the Delhi voters claiming that he had made a mistake and not any crime by resigning in 49 days. What was considered his biggest handicap soon became his most potent weapon. In addition, Kejriwal raised constituency and Delhi-specific issues eschewing the big talk of the BJP and Congress. Problems of power, water, sanitation, women's safety, lack of schools and colleges in some areas were raised prominently and the AAP concentrated on explaining how Kejriwal's government would implement its election promises. Furthermore, with petty corruption emerging as one of the biggest electoral issues in Delhi and hitting the common man directly, Kejriwal promised to bring an end to it. His supporters and AAP leaders claimed that corruption had come down during his rule which was also endorsed by the voters. AAP's promise to cut down electricity and water tariff was a major draw in unauthorized, resettlement colonies, slums and the poorer sections of society, where people came out in large numbers to back Kejriwal. Apart from these, the AAP had consciously worked to avoid any polarisation of voters on religious grounds. It was also quick to reject the offer of support from Jama Masjid's Shahi Imam Bukhari.
Politicians here in Bangladesh have many things to learn from Kejriwal's politics and the recent Delhi elections. Firstly, here political leaders do not admit their mistakes, big or small. Kejriwal did and got the result of his humble acknowledgements. He said after his astonishing victory, 'I knew people love me, but I did not know they love me so much.' Secondly, he raised issue-based movement related to mass people and not power-based issues related to politicians. He has already agreed to reduce water and gas bills from the coming month. In contrast, our politicians raise people-oriented issues that sound good but are hardly solved. This is why people have very little trust in any party. Thirdly, he did not distinguish between Muslims and Hindus and pursued an approach of non-polarisation. Fourthly, he did not make any negative remark against his opposition after the victory which speaks volumes about his sound political culture. Fifthly, he showed his wisdom by advising his subordinates not to be arrogant, as he knows that it may tarnish the image of AAP and cause its downfall. Sixthly, the media played an impartial role to make people think independently and the election commission ensured a level-playing field. Last but not least, the ruling party did not interfere or attempt to manipulate the results in its favour which is inconceivable in this country.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
