What role can the AAP play in Indian polls?

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) made news in India and beyond by going to power in important Delhi state in India within a year of its debut and caused equal sensation when it chose to quit the government voluntarily as it failed to implement a key electoral pledge. The party   is very much in discussion in the context of coming Indian Lok Sabha elections as it prepares to take on the heavyweights of major political parties. As people have pinned hopes on the new party on one hand and also are giving vent to their frustration over some of the party's activities, on the other, the focus is on the prospects of the AAP in the polls that will take place from early next month. How will the AAP, led by the immediate past chief minister of Delhi Arvind  Khijrewal,  fare in the national elections? It is a question that is quite often asked in the media and elsewhere. Would it repeat the success of Delhi polls or cut a sorry figure in the national election?

The AAP created a sensation by taking harsh anti-graft policies and pursuing a simple life in politics. It won the elections in Delhi in a stunning fashion and later formed the government in the state, defeating established big political organisations and earned praises for some people-oriented commendable measures. But the government of the new party also rattled a few feathers, raising controversy at home and abroad about its style of functioning. Even though the sincerity of the new government was not questioned, some of its actions seemed dramatic in nature and were also marred in controversy. At the end the AAP resigned from the government only after 49 days when it failed to implement a promise meant to curb corruption in face of opposition from two major parties - the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress.

When a less than a year-old political party formed the new government in the state covering capital Delhi, many rubbed their eyes in utter disbelief. The reason was obvious. How could such a new organisation with leaders at the helm with virtually no knowledge about politics make such a splendid record? This has been a record indeed in the sense that the Aam Aadmi Party (which literally means the party of the common man) demolished two main Indian political parties - the ruling Congress and the main opposition BJP - in the polls. The Congress was dethroned from power and was reduced to the third position with eight seats in the 70-member house of the Delhi state. The BJP gained and emerged as the largest group with 32 seats, but fell short of the required seats to form the government. The offer for the new government then came to the AAP, which bagged 28 seats, surpassing all predictions. Party chief Arvind Kejriwal did not immediately jump to form the government, which was clearly a big attraction. He instead took time to assess whether the electorate would welcome his government even though the party could not secure an absolute majority. He was convinced that the people wanted him to form the new government since they were disenchanted with the two major parties and looked for a change. Arvind Kejriwal took oath as the chief minister in a rather sensational political development. He beat in the elections Congress chief minister Sheila Dixit convincingly, making his electoral debut against the seasoned and two-time chief minister.

It was all possible because the AAP emerged in the political scene of the country with a promise of making every effort to curb corruption, particularly in the higher echelons. It promised to give maximum facility from the government to the common people, who are mired in myriad problems. The AAP said the woes of the masses know no bounds and hence is the need for a government for the aam aadmi - the common people.

 In the first decision of the government, drinking water was made free for the people with certain ceiling and other means were being explored like very cheap transportation, electricity,   etc. that would directly benefit the people. The chief minister came to take oath riding a metro train and jettisoned unnecessary security arrangements. All these heralded something new in India - the largest democracy in the world with a population of 1.20 billion people. Although the leftists did near similar things in states like Kerala and West Bengal before, the AAP caused a storm in the corruption-ridden political milieu of India which is controlled by typical conventional politics.

Earlier, elderly Gandhian Anna Hazare caused a stir in India by launching an anti-graft movement that drew the attention of the nation to the perilous state of affairs in governance of the country. He called for drastic laws to eradicate corruption, but the Congress-led coalition government dragged its feet. However, finally, the laws were enacted only recently.

Arvind Kejriwal, a former income tax inspector, was one of the close associates of Hazare who is keen to maintain a non-political character of his movement. But Arvind and some others felt that it is difficult to implement the programmes that they were espousing unless political support is available. So, they decided to float a political party and joined the electoral race of Delhi state with instant success. Now, they would seek to expand their political arena with eyes fixed on the national elections. The AAP is planning to field candidates against such leaders like opposition prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and ruling Congress party's key leader Rahul Gandhi. Needless to say, both the big parties are critical of the AAP, saying it is resorting to "gimmick". The AAP, on the other hand, says it means business.

The tasks before the AAP is daunting. But it is not impossible to attain them. People broadly understood Delhi government's limitations under the AAP. What they want is the sincerity and honesty on part of those who would govern them. The AAP stands for this innovative thought in the Indian political arena and it is for this reason the party could elbow out established big parties in the Delhi election.

However, the AAP has some bad news  since Anna Hazare declined to extend support to the party led by his one-time key aide and instead is keen to support West Bengal chief minister Mamata Baneerjee's  Trinamool Congress in the elections. Besides, the problems surrounding a new party in facing the national-level polls are also a handicap for the AAP. But, it has some good news as well. The grandson of Mahatma Gandhi has joined its fold and many notable persons talking about taking tough anti-graft positions in the polls. Much will depend how the party leadership succeeds in campaigning across the vast country and garner support for their causes.

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