Why I like the Aam Aadmi Party

Why I like the Aam Aadmi Party

Abraham Lincoln’s in his Gettysburg Address talked about a “government of the people, by the people and for the people”. When many Indians are exasperated and dejected that their governments are of the politicians, by the politicians, and for the politicians” because of a vast majority of our politicians and their behaviour.

In this gloomy atmosphere, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has come as a breath of fresh air. The Lok Satta party gave that hope (and it still can continue to do that) and was slowly building on the goodwill that existed among people. However, with one fell swoop, it’s founder, Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, by supporting the TDP and BJP, has dashed the hopes of achieving a clean electoral process resulting in a cleaner government. At a time like this, the AAP has shown how people can and should participate in the political process.

As established parties cleanse themselves and new ones bring freshness to the political debate, here are the reasons why we should celebrate the rise of AAP.

An evolved idea of politics meant that it:

• stood up to the nepotism of established political parties and has been careful not to fall into that trap so far.
• did not resort to any unruly behaviour in the Delhi Assembly giving us hope that it would do the same if placed in Parliament
• did gave tickets to only one person from a family giving us hope that dynastic politics will discontinue.
• took on bigwigs without fear whether it was Reliance or Robert Vadra or Sheila Dikshit or Nitin Gadkari. To show it’s intent, it registered FIRs against many which no one has done till now. Which other party had the guts to speak out against Ambanis and Reliance which have the “government in their pocket” till now?
• ensured that the gas prices were not raised while everyone was busy in elections.
• has, above all, challenged established parties and their methods so much so that many have started to mimic AAP.
  
  

When it comes to transparency, it:

• put all it's funding data online in a transparent manner.
• agreed to be subjected to RTI which no other party in power has agreed to so far.

On the question of corruption, it:

• is ready to have social audits to ensure that governments policies and benefits actually reach the intended beneficiaries when neither of the two major national parties accepted this.
• is against corruption and is ready to bring a stronger lokpal bill.
• has not given a single ticket to anyone accused of corruption
• walked the talk and is one of the few parties that has not distributed money, liquor, food, drugs or gifts in order to buy votes.

Regarding devolution of powers and local governance, it:

• wants to empower gram sabhas and mohalla sabhas so that people can decide what they want and do not want in their locality instead of someone sitting thousands of kilometers away making those decisions for them.
• was willing to give up power for their principles. Instead of falling into the trap of it’s political opponents branding it’s chief, we have to understand that everyone in the party quit and there was no dissent. Besides, we have seen how our MLA’s and MP’s in Andhra Pradesh were glued to their power even though our state was being broken up. When they were not even ready to give up a MLA or MP seat, imagine giving up the CM and Ministers posts.

On the idea of social justice, it:

• wants to modify reservations in such a way that first timers are preferred over those who have been constantly reaping the benefits.
• gave tickets to tribals and other disadvantaged people in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, etc.
• has not peddled caste, region, religion or any such vote bank equations either when giving tickets or during it’s campaigning
  
  

In order to overcome shortage of funds, it:

• used technology to make sure it's message reached a lot more places since it didn't have the money.
• used volunteers to go door-to-door campaigning
• used zero-rupee notes to let people know the dangers of selling their votes for money
  
  

When anyone who wanted to contest or learn more about it’s stand, it:

• enabled them to participate in the process and air their questions in an open and transparent manner through Google Hangouts. Anyone could participate in these open discussions and get their doubts clarified.
• enabled anyone who wanted to contest could submit their name through an online form from anywhere in the country. Contestants had to accept a code of conduct and also declare that they have no criminal cases against them.
  
  

The quality of candidates was fantastic. It:

• has a large list of contestants and volunteers who have been working hard for decades on many problems such as environmental issues, the Bhopal gas victims issues, farmers issues, transparency, womens issues, etc.
• did not have candidates contesting from more than one place which results in re-polling in those areas because the candidates have to give up one seat if they win both.
• removed many candidates who were found to have lied about their criminal background or other unacceptable traits.
• is ready for the right to recall. One of it’s candidates has submitted her elections promises on a stamp paper to show her sincerity in living up to those promises if she was elected.
   

Are they perfect? No and they may never be.

• The candidate selection could have been done using primaries (of course, this time they did not have time).
• The communication could have been better, especially the resignation from power in Delhi.

o   They should have also clearly explained why “criminals” were given tickets by describing the “crimes” so that people understand that a lot of cases are registered against activists, most of which are false.

• Some of the candidates said things that are unacceptable (eg: Shazia Ilmi) and therefore such people should have been withdrawn
• They should have had greater representation of women (more than the 54 candidates)
• They should have given tickets to fewer rich people
• The Delhi government should have implemented the gram sabha and mohalla sabhas while or even before fighting the Jan Lokpal bill. It would have empowered the people and made them realize the enormity of this idea.
• Maybe some of them are too ambitious. Ambition by itself is not wrong but faith needs to be established first.
  
  

There probably are many more imperfections or faults. However, this is a party that will give a common person a chance to point out the mistakes and change them. Which other party gives you that?