Free-Lunch Politics

Free- Lunch Politics

Forty-eight or so hours away from general election-year, it is not the refreshing if theatrical politics of AAP that is worrisome, but its economics.  In the stock market at euphoric times, the going around statement is: “This time its different”. Of course, it turns out, sickeningly, further on down the road, that it is not.

The ethical questions raised by the AAP, first kicking away from erstwhile mentor Anna Hazare and his quaint anti-corruption movement, and then promptly getting into bed with the Congress to form the Delhi Government, is another nail in its too-good-to-be-true, ‘imandaari’ coffin.

But the public seems to have moved on, unconcerned with this betrayal, but fascinated by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s gritty, in-your-face audacity, his ‘janta’- style ‘munnabhai’ ways. Subhash Jha, the film director, as one commentator at the Ramlila Grounds swearing- in put it, could not have scripted this reality show.

This despite newly minted Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal swearing on his children that he would do no such thing. The personal oath was however overtaken promptly by a ‘sense of the street’ referendum. And an offer of  ‘unconditional’ turned ‘conditional’ support from the Congress.  The back door entry for principle-less Congress, is still an entry.

But then, lies becoming a habit need a little time,   and the wooden-boy Pinocchio’s nose did not grow quite so long in a day. Though Arvind Kejriwal,  with his pronounced national ambitions, likes to think of his Party, and the length of days, more in terms of Rome.

The politics of AAP is now sure to energise the pan-India fray leading up to the general elections, like it or not. So, we, the people, need to remind ourselves of what this could mean for the national economy.

 Assuming, that is, given the public fascination for AAP’s engaging form of Chaupal and Block interaction, that the AAP finds its way into the Lok Sabha. And this too, with a significant, regional- party like strength.  If it doesn’t, we can soon forget about AAP both at the Centre and in Delhi post-elections. And good riddance too. But we should be so lucky!

The AAP’s constant speechifying against corruption, which it claims taints all other parties but itself, is gaining serious traction with the people at this time. Particularly after their meteoric rise to power in Delhi on the backs of the hoi polloi. An aam aadmi whirlwind of expectations that  AAP is likely to reap and disappoint at its own peril.

But how long before corruption charges come tumbling out about the AAP itself, is anybody’s guess. The public might have had a glimpse of it already from the mouth of a certain cabinet- berth denied horse called Binny, but it was not to be. Still, as a starlet said on a recent Kofee With Karan episode: ‘Raat baki hai’.

AAP as the “Congress B Team” and Congress itself, are hoping to stop the Modi-Wave in its tracks. They think they have found the antidote to Modi’s Congress bashing, and Rahul Gandhi’s inability to counter Modi.  Arvind Kejriwal is highly articulate, connects well with the masses, and is not afraid to promise the moon. But how sure -footed is he when the heat is on?

What is the BJP going to do about it all? Defensiveness and dismissiveness will not work. Nor will ordinary common-or-garden maligning. It may be time to make a few well directed promises to the gallery too. Populism, with its emotive appeal, is very difficult to counter with just the truth or solid common sense.

And it is indeed ironic that till Congress jumped on the band-wagon and granted AAP additional credibility, some people were saying they would vote for AAP in Delhi and BJP at the national level. From this inclusion, BJP has now become the prime target for both Congress and the AAP. It will be, most certainly, a make-or- break election for the BJP; but break the challenge from the AAP it must.

It may be a mistake to harp too much on whether AAP delivers on its promises or not. The public seems determined to give it pass marks just for trying. What matters is the perception that they want to bring about a change in the body politic, and rid it of its unresponsiveness and corruption. Politically, the time is right for the AAP to capitalise on the public frustration with how things have been going for far too long. But, this is still all politics. The economy is listing and languishing from gross neglect in the meantime.

The fact is, sadly, this country is nearly broke because of drastically slowed-down GDP growth, high deficits, higher inflation, plummeting rupee, Congress welfarism, corruption, and  vote-bank pandering. It is likely to buckle under altogether, if more Congress/ AAP  type economics is  implemented. Because, these embroideries come on top, and in addition to- audacious vote gathering populist measures, outdoing each other and stacking up to garner the people’s delight.

AAP politics has connected with the people of Delhi, particularly the poor and middle class fed up with Congress high-handedness. It has catapulted the fledgling  party into the  hot seats of power. The  700 litres of free water  is on its way soon, thanks to the remedy of a quarterly subsidy of Rs. 30 crores to be put in place.  From whence will come this subsidy?

Electricity bills too will no doubt be slashed using similar tactics, and taking ‘political’ decisions on economic matters will become the populist AAP norm. AAP deserves congratulations for promising specific relief on utility bills, for building a brilliant campaign strategy, bristle- broom and all. As a bill payer I cannot help but applaud, but know, worryingly, that there is no reality in a free lunch.

Therefore, all that AAP can do is give with one hand, and take away with the other, but thereby keep its promises!  After all, our vast array of indirect taxes are also paid by the very poor, even if they don’t pay income tax.

Once again, the country stands at the crossroads, make no mistake. The choice is between economic perdition through a populist/welfarist orgy per the Congress/ UPA, or a jerry-built third front plus perhaps the arriveste AAP. Or the long, arduous and ultimately rewarding road to becoming an economic powerhouse through Narendra Modi, the BJP and the NDA. The choice as usual, belongs to the people.

(1,064 words)

December 29^th, 2013

Gautam Mukherjee