The game changer arrives: a leg-up for idealism

Do we see the return of idealism to the political scene, as evidenced by the AAP’s performance in Delhi Assembly elections? Will this impact the national election results in any manner?

The Aam Aadmi Party has made an impressive debut in electoral politics. Its showing in the Delhi assembly elections indicates that its idealistic platform has struck a chord with a significant section of the electorate. Using broom as its election symbol, the AAP has been advocating clean politics and transparent, responsive and accountable government – well known ingredients of old fashioned, ideal politics. Of course, this idealism is going to be severely tested at every step from now onwards. The very first test is due in a couple of days when the process of government formation will begin in Delhi. Will Kejriwal & Co compromise on their stated principles for attaining power, or will they remain true to their word? Let us wait and watch. For the time being, the result, a moral victory for the AAP, is a powerful endorsement of idealism in politics.

 

Elsewhere, BJP has trounced Congress in Rajasthan and retained power in Madhya Pradesh and has emerged as the largest party in Chhattisgarh – where Raman Singh may retain power – and Delhi, where BJP either may form government or, in case of hung assembly and improbability of horse-trading, re-elections may be held after a brief stint of the President’s rule. 

What do these election results indicate?

It would be simplistic to blame inflation as the deciding factor in these elections, as some analysts have been trying to portray. It is, at best, an important factor or a trigger for public anger against rampant corruption and bad governance.  People have given thumbs down to the UPA-2 style of functioning. You cannot take people for granted and  buy their votes through sops and cheap gimmicks – as has been strikingly underscored by the Rajasthan results. People are in no mood to forgive corruption or forget bad governance. In MP, voters have rewarded the BJP for its reasonably good performance and punished the Congress in Rajasthan and Delhi for its corrupt ways. In fact, UPA-2 has been markedly different in its approach to governance related issues. The UPA-1 was a great success because of its development oriented functioning. Unfortunately, the Congress bigwigs mistook the party’s return to power in the last general elections as a licence to return to its old culture of populism, regressive governance, wheeling-dealing and all things corrupt and inefficient. More than one minister has been found with his hands in the till. Unfortunately, such scandals did not elicit remorse or even introspection on the part of the ruling party or even the culprits. Pelf was being grabbed like there was no tomorrow. Worse, every expose was brushed aside with feudal arrogance. People waited for their turn. After the states, they may well sweep the UPA-2 out of power during the 2014 general elections.

The Delhi results might well prove to be path breaking in one sense – the return of idealism with a bang in the form of the newbie Aam Aadmi Party, formed only about a year back. Citing its leadership’s “amateurish” nature, almost all political analysts had dismissed it as a nonstarter. However, the AAP has come up with a dazzling performance in the Delhi elections, overcoming all efforts to discourage and discredit it. The AAP manifesto is truly idealistic – seeking to usher in genuinely democratic functioning wherein people would have a greater say in quotidian governance and decision-making. The party also proposes to have complete transparency and accountability. Although it has not come to power, it has done far better than the mighty Indian National Congress and has given the formidable BJP a run for its money.

PORTENTS FOR 2014

It is true that, historically, state assembly election results have seldom been reliable indicators for ensuing national level general elections to the parliament, but still certain surmises will not be out of place vis-à-vis 2014 elections. For instance,

1. Old style mai-baap system of populist governance has become ineffective. If a party offers election eve sops to people, it risks earning their ire and contempt. Voters are increasingly looking for those who genuinely work for improving the quality of their lives on tactile and durable basis.

2. Corruption has become an electoral issue in a big way, as underscored in Delhi and Rajasthan. The AAP’s performance highlights this trend, which is going to gather greater traction in the run up to 2014 general elections.

3. Credibility will be a big factor. Although caste and creed will continue to influence voting patterns to some extent – a party’s performance is going to matter a lot more than before, especially in urban constituencies where people are becoming increasingly demanding. Even in rural areas, youth are getting increasing restless vis-à-vis issues related to education, employment and quality of life. If caste based outfits fail to deliver they will be certainly shown the door – we have Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD’s fate as a forceful instance; and even Mayawati’s social engineering based BSP too fell by the wayside because of its poor governance related profile.

4. Stability has not been a big issue with voters so far – as evidenced by the rise of coalitions. It would be interesting to watch how voters look at this aspect in the 2014 elections. We have seen how both the avatars of the UPA had to compromise on various vital national-interest related policy decisions due to the coalition partners’ intransigence – what the leftists did to UPA-1 the TMC, SP, DMK etc have been doing it to the UPA-2 on different issues and occasions. Will the voters give a party clear mandate and banish coalition from national politics?

5. What the AAP has achieved in Delhi needs to be replicated at the national level – not just in terms of election results, but also the functioning of various government functionaries and office-holders, viz., ministers and bureaucrats. Truly, the AAP has arrived on the country's political firmament as a game changer. Will idealism make a comeback to the national political scene?

The manner in which political game is played in our country can change if a strong public opinion ensures accountability at every level of governance. And, we have learnt over a period of time that building of strong and healthy public opinion is the function of a vibrant and vigilant media.