In the most tumultuous election campaigning ever experienced
in the capital city BJP and AAP are vying for the top post in a closely drawn
battle. The unchallenged 15 year tenure of Congress in Delhi received a massive
jolt in the 2013 assembly elections entered the phase of decadence now. Pushed
into a distant third congress is almost necked out of the race. Even as the din
and clamour of election campaigning officially ended yesterday, there is a growing
trepidation and excitement about the results. By and large the outcome is
believed to be proportional to the voter turnout. To augment electoral enthusiasm
news channels are cramming in round the clock debates, personal interviews of
the political leaders, live telecast of election rallies and huge array of
pre-poll analysis.
No other city in India is so encumbered by the highhandedness
of politicians, bureaucrats and police as Delhi. It’s a city where human
dignity is constantly assaulted by the overbearance of the trio and acclaimed
popular disrepute for the brazenness of its inhabitants. Delhi is distinctly different
from other metropolis and intellectuals prefer to call it a humongous village.
The uniqueness of the place is nonpareil. The complex web of the national
capital encompasses ultra billionaires, intellectuals, politicians, officials
and a huge section of slum-dwellers & daily wage earners. The quiddity of
Delhi was truly reflected by the unpredictable and spectacular rise of AAP in
the 2013 assembly elections.
The capital city is home for lakhs of migrant workers and
unskilled labour from the adjacent states who are intimidated constantly by
brutal inequalities. Living under miserable conditions their livelihoods are
under threat. AAP could connect and voice out the frustrations of the alienated
and unheard class of people. It reflected the deep seated angst of the lower
class towards the existing privilege culture in Delhi. By showering empathy and
respect towards this section, AAP soon surged into the regional party of Delhi.
It sustained its relevance and commitment towards people by highlighting the
issues of water and electricity. The phenomenal popularity and elevation of the
anti-corruption crusader Kejriwal and AAP highlights the empowerment of the Aam
Aadmi into politician. While political parties attributed Kejriwal 49-day rule
to his political incompetence, small traders, rickshaw pullers and road side
vendors hailed his bribe-free regime.
AAP over powered by its tremendous success in Delhi contested
400 seats all over India in Loksabha elections and won 4 seats. The party was
snubbed for its failure in replicating its magic. While AAP could firmly and
fiercely establish ground in Delhi with its leftist motives its relevance could
hardly evoke interest in other metros. Delhi has been the domain of the
uber-rich and influential where common man’s concerns were disdained. AAP began
foraying vigorously to woo minorities who earlier had allegiances to Congress.
Just as Siva Sena dominated Maharashtra, with its Maratha crusade, AAP is
trying to posit itself in Delhi. After the Loksabha debacle, taking cues from
its hubris, AAP silently began to establish connect with people. Overwhelmed by
the unprecedented support of Delhi electorate for the LokSabha elections, BJP
underestimated the penetration and grass root connect of AAP in Delhi.
With decimation of Congress both at the centre and state, AAP
shifted its focus from its core issue of corruption to subsidized electricity
and access to drinking water. As the string of failures continues to haunt
Congress, the real contest for power in Delhi is between BJP and AAP. BJP rose
to the highest pinnacles of power by pitching on the aspirational power of the
middle class. With agenda for change and good governance BJP triumphantly occupied
echelons of power. BJP was castigated by political parties as rightist and
communal whose affiliation to the Hindutva ideologues is open secret. While
there is no denial of fact that BJP was voted to power on the agenda of
development, a strong mobilisation of Hindu votes ensured victory. With the
rise of religious extremism across the globe Hindus being majority are feeling
marginalised since all political parties in India rush to rescue minorities.
Unfortunately religion has been a potential trump card in Indian politics and
an expertise in the art of coaxing minorities’ so far ensured ascendancy.
Earlier in 2014 Delhiites unanimously voted BJP which bespeaks
of its potential and reliable vote banks. Eight months into Modi government
people have witnessed fundamentalist rhetoric of BJP and current elections would
testify people’s trust in Modi’s ability. BJP with recent spate of electoral
successes in four states is riding high and feeling invincible. With strident
call from all leftist parties, TMC and others to support AAP, BJP readied its
frontal attacks by launching all its cabinet ministers for election
campaigning. Besides core electoral issues, election season in the capital
witnessed an unprecedented number of changeovers. Loyalists disenchanted with
parent parties crossed over to rival parties. Arrayed with allegations and
massive sting operations, these elections added extra tinge of tamasha to the
never ending drama of India politics.
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