Shikha Tyagi
There is something refreshing about Aam Adami Party. They are not talking traditional talks. They are talking common concerns of common man and what common man thinks of traditional political class, most of the times at the risk of being labeled as a rowdy activist. There is an innocence which finds resonance with the anguish of aam adami. No wonder that it connected with common man which eventually led to their forming the government.
Kejriwal’s movement of common man is very different from the many movements of past. Not just that, its different from even freedom movement. All these movements were political and were led by politicians, most of whom were with good educated and often affluent background.
This cannot be said for AAP MLAs, most of whom have modest background. This is where the difference lies. It’s the common man who came forward to be part of the movement called AAP which is essentially an expression of disgust against lack of governance. That AAP chose political platform to vent its anger and seek a resolution through ballot, is a testimony to the strength of democracy India has.
If there were allegations that most AAP volunteers during election were paid workers, most chairs out of 27000 that were placed in Ram Lila Maidan, on the day new Chief Minister took oath, were filled with aam adami who had come to celebrate their liberation from pawns of power.
Political class may fret about the kind of language used by Aam Adami Party activist but fact is that more the AAP is criticised, more endearing the AAP becomes to aam adami and more it takes away the aam adami from traditional political parties. It is a reflection on the collective angst and frustration of common man against the ruling elite, which propels AAP to move forward. They may come across as vagabonds but they ride on the emotions of common man.
No surprise that Congress with its experience of 125 years was quick to feel the changing mood of aam adami and decided to extend support to it in government formation. It could be a ploy also to engage the newbie in day to day affairs of running the govt which would keep them away from intense engagement in Lok Sabha elections and thus arrest the damages it could cause to Congress. Side by side, it also hopes that by supporting AAP, it will be seem to be on the right side of the changed sentiment of common citizenry and may also put pressure on Kejriwal to deliver on his promises, most of which are perceived to be unimplementable.
In all earnestness, it would be fair to say that AAP is here to stay, for it has given voice to hitherto unheard common man. Sense of helplessness of aam adami is not confined to Delhi city only. A look around and one will find millions of Arvind Kejriwal are rising up against the status quo. To them, Kejriwal is the symbol against non performing, hitherto non accountable governance provided by established political dispensation.
AAP changed the rules of game. Instead of collecting crowds, it went from door to door, canvassing and connecting with aam adami which endeared it to most. In the same spirit, it could focus on governance. Subsidy can be supplementary to governance; it cannot be a substitute to governance.
Similarly, political parties would do well to accept the new entity with grace and learn the lessons. Success should never be fought. There is no point in continuing to be critical of AAP – Congress tie up. Even if there is a deal between the two, knowledge of it can be saved for a day when AAP fails on delivery. Till then, battle should shift to assembly where incumbent government should be engaged on day-to-day performance.
