The stunning debut of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the latest entrant in the country’s political firmament in the elections to the Delhi assembly where it has since assumed power with the tacit support of the Congress, has come as a bolt from the blue for both the national parties, the BJP and the Congress, with the latter being swept away in the antiincumbency wave. Although the BJP managed to pip the AAP to the post by securing the highest number of seats, it fell short of a majority by five seats and declined the invitation of the Lt.
Governor to form the government. A party which indulged in an undercover operation to entice MLAs of other parties to their fold for consideration years back in Karnataka and codenamed it ‘Operation Lotus’, Lotus being the party symbol has this time around refrained from horse trading of any kind and has quietly decided to warm the opposition benches. This, if nothing else, is a clear indication that the arrival of the AAP which has, as its main plank its anti-corruption stance has ushered in an era of value based politics where parties steeped in corruption like the Congress and the BJP have been forced to abort their plans of indulging in their customary activity of horse trading. In short with the AAP having raised the bar and having won the confidence of the voters albeit in a small state like Delhi, has also raised the awareness of the lay public who have now emerged a lot wiser and can no longer be swayed by caste based politics or by empty promises of freebies or subsidies that might never materialise.
This is indeed a good augury for the country’s political future as dynasties, communally inclined parties, casteist outfits and parties that have stooped to the lowest levels to ensure that they get to taste the loaves and fish of power might no longer be able to enjoy their unfettered run. Political parties have now to rush back to their drawing boards and take a long hard look before putting up candidates for assembly and parliamentary elections, as those with dubious track records and those who rely wholly on caste equations or affluence are likely to be summarily rejected by a more vigilant electorate.
And with the NOTA (none of the above) option available on the ballot paper, the voters might even reject all of them lock, stock and barrel. The woes of these opportunistic parties who also do not hesitate to form unethical alliances are compounded by the aggressiveness being displayed in recent times by the media, both print and visual, which leave no stone unturned to unearth the shenanigans of the candidates and to highlight the shady deals with investigative reporting that has often seen skeletons tumbling down from cupboards.
The passing of the Lokpal Bill which has since received the President’s nod should also contribute to cleaning the Augean stables as the Lokpal has a wide ambit that could even cover the country’s Prime Minister with certain safeguards. Fortunately earlier versions of the Lokpal which would have reduced it to a toothless tiger have been given a decent burial thanks to the efforts of the Gandhian crusader Anna Hazare and also the Aam Aadmi Party which in a way is an offshoot of Anna’s campaign for a strong Lokpal. That the bill has taken decades to see the light of the day is itself an indication of the unwillingness of political parties to subject themselves to any kind of scrutiny, and to remain a law unto themselves. The Supreme Court’s diktat disqualifying MPs/MLAs sentenced to two years or more in criminal cases which was sought to be undone by passing a hasty ordinance in Parliament, but was allowed to remain as wiser counsel prevailed on the ruling UPA is another step in the right direction as it also provides for a ban on MPs/MLAs drawing sentences from contesting for a further period commensurate with their tenure in jail.
Politicians and political parties that have been hoodwinking the electorate for long have now to brush up their act if they want to remain in power. Money and muscle power could well have to take a backseat and candidates for elections will have to be selected with a fine comb and winnability might no longer be the sole criterion. The ‘broom’ the symbol of the Aam Aadmi Party is busy doing its job.
[/column][column size=”4/5″]
C V Aravind
The writer is a Bangalore-based freelance journalist.[/column]