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Rathin Mathur is a Marketing and Communications professional with a deep interest in news and politics. He lives in the National Capital Region.)
When Churchill had once said of the Germans being "either at your throat or at your feet", he could well have been speaking of us middle class Indians and our pendulum-like ability to swing from adulation to condemnation, with a few stops in between. Our natural instinct is to judge people, events and occurrences in terms of either black and white and therein seek a miracle after which
sab kuchch theek ho jaayegaa. In the process, we often harm those we intend to glorify.
I know 'tis the season for AAP. Much of what AAP stands for and has fought for is what our nation has yearned for - a more equal opportunity for people to be able to participate in electoral politics.
Considering our appetite for TV news and our skill at being reservoirs of political wisdom, the evolution into the real McCoy is but natural. In our grateful eyes, they can do no wrong and we shall shield them. Amidst this paranoia even a humble aam cricket ball crashing into a newly appointed Minister's windshield is reported as an attack.
We then, as a citizenry, must keep it real. If AAP is an idea that we value, we must not succumb to the idea itself, but must insist on accountability towards achieving the larger end that we are eager to seek. Indeed, Arvind Kejriwal has himself in the assembly requested the opposition to keep AAP on course. In the spirit of this request, here is my completely free and totally unasked for questionnaire for caution.
1. What is the definition of a political party? Doesn't the word political have any relationship to the word "policy"? Much after AAP's declared intent of contesting the national elections, why has the party not declared its vision for the nation? AAP seems to have captured the imagination of the youth of the nation. I have not heard of one policy that speaks of how AAP will leverage the demographic advantage. How will AAP empower the youth with skills and opportunities and what resources will they deploy for this momentous opportunity? What is their vision for the economy? What is their policy for defense? Surely, once they have implemented structures and systems against corruption, they will have some more left within them to contribute to the nation. Many have spoken of India's complexity and the multi-dimensional challenges to this country.
2. Must you narrow the outlook of this city? For decades, Delhi has fulfilled its role as the capital city of this nation. People from every state of India came here and made it home, enriching the social fabric of this city in return. You can find a Tamil Nadu market in Munirka, a little Calcutta in CR Park and both of them are as much Delhi as Delhi. As a matter of fact, Mr. Kejriwal for someone who lives in Ghaziabad, this city had no qualms in electing you CM. Why then, must your Government talk of reservations for Delhi'ites? By the way, what is a Delhi'ite? When was the last time we bumped into a 3rd gen Delhi'ite?
3. What is AAP? Is AAP still a movement, as Arvind Kejriwal would so vehemently state at every journalistic interaction? If it is now a political party, why do members of the party run vigilante groups? Even if one were to believe the alleged drug and prostitution rackets, shouldn't the Law Minister have used his offices to engage and convince the police authorities and arrange a warrant ahead of the raid, just as meticulously as he arranged the presence of cameras?
4. Are you solely playing to the galleries or are you providing responsible leadership to Delhi? While it is one thing to declare that electricity tariffs are cut or that retrospective dues are waived, it is another to establish how these actions will be funded and how AAP will balance the budget. In a city like Delhi where the growing pressure of migrants adds to service delivery, it is essential that the development saga continues and momentum is not lost.
For a protagonist who spoke abundantly of rising prices and spiraling costs of living, the post appointment narrative has not once mentioned this concern. I am sure those who elected him would be happier to see him, his cabinet and the many stalwarts that have joined cause with him coming up with fresh and radical thinking to resolve the issues that are so critical to the life of a city like Delhi - what of growing employment? How will Delhi attract investment?
I am watching with considerable discomfort today, scenes from Rail Bhavan where the CM of the state is on dharna. At the core of the issue is the refusal of three police officers to follow the diktat of the Law Minister. However, as often happens, the dharna has become a bigger animal. It is now being positioned as a protest against the injustices of a police force that takes bribes from rickshaw drivers and hawkers and from every citizen that goes to them with problems.
However, is this better accomplished by the entire state cabinet descending upon the roads or by this refreshingly-new cabinet using the power of their mandate and popularity to emerge with solutions that will fix the problem? Is there a tendency within the AAP to obfuscate issues and create confusion so as to achieve political ends? Because therein lies the issue that every well-wisher of this movement must assess. Are the means irrelevant as long as the end is achieved?
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