The AAP Story

With power comes great responsibility but unfortunately Indian politicians have consistently failed Indian electorate in this aspect.  Amidst this decades-long disgruntlement AAP offered a new hope for change. It raised the bar of expectations from people. With its chest-thumping statements and professing commitment to ideologies it has virtually created a special niche for itself in the Indian Political System. The capital city tired and tested ground for high-handed political intervention aggrieved of babu-neta nexus was desperately looking for a change. AAP with its door to door campaigning and grass root connect convinced people that it can pave a new path to alternative politics. Thus, the slow and steady rise of the AAP began to pose a tough challenge to the old and traditional style of decrepit politicking. Its debutante performance in the 2013 Assembly Elections itself startled political analysts and the electorate alike. With the eclectic maiden electoral mandate it made inroads into Delhi and firmly established itself as a formidable regional party.

Overpowered by the frenzied ambition to stake claim for government formation AAP sought the help of Congress party. Though the 49-day Arvind Kejriwal government formed with external support of Congress earned popular acclaim it also espoused Arvind’s larger political interests. By tendering resignation precociously he betrayed Delhi electorate. But later he managed to win back their support by publicly apologizing, an artifice unconventional of Indian politicians. Post- resignation, appraised of his charisma, oratory skills and people connect set his eyes on wider pavilions of the Indian Parliament. He got quickly drawn into the Lok Sabha elections and enthused by the frenzied support of the capital region, AAP contested more than 400 seats across the country. But the results were dismal. But dismayed by its poor performance the party entered an introspective mode. AAP chalked out stupendous election strategy to clinch power in the capital state once again. But this time around after gaining experience of back ground realities by contesting in back to back elections they followed a peerless strategy. Shunning traditional forms of campaigning, its active young brigade of volunteers began to establish contacts through the social networking channels to reach out to the younger generation.

While other parties were least prepared and enthusiastic about the Assembly elections, the rejuvenated AAP with its team of volunteers were geared up to steal the show. Meanwhile BJP’s much touted election strategy failed to woo the capital electorate due to manifold reasons. It paid heavy price for its complacency, internal political bickering, parachuting of a high profile outsider as a Chief Minister candidate and finally for the lack of an energetic local leader who could win votes. As the assembly elections neared animosities between BJP and AAP reached a summit. While BJP was totally lost the quagmire of mudslinging, AAP successfully played a victim card and projected itself as a saviour committed towards development alone. Interestingly the elections results were stupendous as AAP came back to power with thumping majority. Congress and other parties were completely decimated and BJP managed to have a face saver with a meagre representation.

After promising a bounty of subsidies and other freebies AAP was hard pressed for action and good governance which is inevitable since it had a clear mandate. Soon AAP assumed office and things seemed to move briskly in the first week as critical decisions were given a green signal. But things began take an unexpected turn as series of sting expose started making rounds. Sting operations though not new to Indian Politics, gained new strength as Arvind himself strongly advocated its use to expose corrupt practices. Suddenly the whole exercise boomeranged on him exposing his incriminating political ambitions. With the massive political mandate while people were expecting quick deliverance and an orderly governance. The internal fighting in AAP has occupied the central stage.  As more and more exposes’ began to spill more venom about the dubious political ambitions of Arvind Kejiriwal, the central leadership AAP was simply drawn into the quagmire of allegations and counter allegations.

In the meanwhile the accusations and open dissent of the founder members have changed people’s perspective towards the party which has vouched for an alternative politics. With the unceremonious and forcible exit of the discordant voices, AAP showed that it is no different from conventional political parties. The pragmatic walk the talk simply disappeared from the AAP’s party constitution. The one-man ship or the high command trademark of Indian political parties has surfaced in AAP too. All the principles and ideals that formed the crux of the AAP appeared as hollow proclamations. The halo surrounding the central leadership which won an astounding majority now seemed contemptible. Now the cracks of dissent are more apparent as the party is racing towards an inevitable vertical split. With more contradictions making headlines every day, congruence among the party lines as simply vanished. The founding principles of AAP have almost eroded, with no common ideology binding the members together, the party will be reduced to an ensemble of coteries that supporting the supreme authority. It would just simply become a yes-men organisation. The future and progress of the entity would be dictated by the whims and fancies of a single leader.

This sad state of affairs has melted off the faith of people in alternative politics. Now people would be sceptical about value-based politics. While this kind of disorganisation and dishevelment is common in Indian politics, it was least expected of AAP a party which extolled of corruption-free and transparent government. Unfortunately the vehement display of crushing the internal rebellion and lack of congruence with its basic agenda has come as a rude shock to the people who supported AAP. Be it a party or country in a country as diverse and heterogeneous as India, democratic way of functioning is the only alternative. Else be it a party or system or organisation ruthless purging of rebellion might eventually result in crumbling of support from the masses. By curbing the voices of dissent with vehemence, AAP has frittered away the support and relentless services of its volunteers and sympathisers. Alas!! The party which has been cynosure of media for its meteoric rise is making news with stories of vertical splits and backstabbing.

 

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