(Ashutosh joined the Aam Aadmi Party in January. The former journalist took on former Union minister Kapil Sibal and Health Minister Harsh Vardhan in the national election from Chandni Chowk in Delhi.)2014 has been a defining year for the country; it ended an old "consensus" and brought to the fore a new one. The "interregnum" which started a decade ago has almost ended. The pendulum hanging "confused" for so long has finally taken a decisive swing. But "equilibrium" is yet to be found.
It was a year of change. But change just for the sake of change adds no value. The year 2014 has seen two agents of change - Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejriwal - both representing two different kinds of social forces and both will have deep impact on the society at large. Modi's impact as an agent of change has to be seen. As for Kejriwal and AAP, as a commitment of our drive for change, here are 5 New Year Resolutions:
- AAP's biggest resolve in the New Year is to speed up the process of clean politics as AAP believes that politics has touched a new low with the kind of money and muscle power which has been infused in recent elections. AAP in 2013 has proved that clean politics is possible and a common man/woman can fight elections without money power and dirty games.
- The moral compass of politics has been made to take a hike for far too long. It has to come back be ensconced in its rightful place. Politics is a game of power, and power devoid of morality is brute and without authority. For an institution to remain supreme, it is essential to be governed by moral values, not by dry rules and regulations.
- Governance is beautiful but governments are crude and ugly. Many people who are leaders have a lot of insecurities and they make the system opaque. For governance to be effective and trust worthy, it has to be transparent and accountable. The leadership of AAP has been fighting for transparency and accountability in government structure and functioning before the inception of the party, and it will be its third resolve to keep that fight going.
- Grassroots is a nice word but these days it treated like an artefact kept in a museum for tourists to glimpse. There is no regular emergence of new leaders. Monopolisation of leadership is a curse which will cost India dearly. AAP has created new leaders in the past and will fight to create fertile ground for the new leaders to emerge.
- Finally, for politics to be effective, it has to be fought on real issues and not imaginary ones. India, even after 68 years of independence, has failed to provide basic facilities to its citizens. But the leadership has conspired to make people forget that their issues are not addressed and instead "fake issues" are used as diversionary tactics. AAP is of the firm belief that Roti - Kapda - Makaan (bread - clothes - housing) is more important than Mandir - masjid - gurudwara - girjaghar (temple - mosque - church). AAP has been talking to the people of Delhi on these issues and has been getting a fantastic response. It is our resolve to make coming elections and thereafter a referendum on these basic issues.
It is a long fight. The lost equilibrium has made India's politics lopsided and normalcy will not come easily. It has to be fought for and the resolve has to be rock solid. The New Year will be another mile stone in this fight.
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