Delhi Does The Democratic Shuffle

Delhi Does The Democratic Shuffle

Whatever be its tamasha factor, Indian democracy certainly rocks. Of late, its also begun to roll, asserting itself big time. Voting percentages are up. The electorate is bigger. Eight months ago, it raised a once-upon-a-time chaiwala to the primeminister’s gaddi, and neatly chucked out a ten year-old Government; legacy and all.

Today, it put a muffler/topi-clad former tax inspector on the CM’s chair in Delhi. At the same time, it definitely took down the fancy-suited PM a peg or two.

Lazy analysis might picture this Delhi election, with dramatic results, as a full-on Kabbadi match between the rich and poor. Over 67% of 1.33 crore voters turned out. Young, middle-aged, old, differently-abled; all just doing it, in an echo of the Nike slogan.

Hystericals are spinning it into a future class-war that will turn Delhi into Dharna Central. One that will give Mamata Didi’s Kolkata a run for its money. They talk of how AAP will export its successful model of victimhood politics to Punjab and other states.

But this is an over-simplification. It is true that the poor, and some of their not so poor friends voted in AAP, attracted perhaps by the promise of  electricity and water freebies, more schools, colleges, hospitals, free education, free WiFi etc.. So they decisively licked the BJP, despite their use of heavy artillery. But remember, it were these same people who gave all seven Delhi seats for the Lok Sabha chunao to the chaiwala, just eight months ago. So, what changed so quickly?

Maybe nothing. To some, it’s an ideal combination: Modi with his strong administrative experience and economic record, running things at the national level; and Kejriwal, with his fire-brand activist’s heart, doing likewise in Delhi. Maybe something: the BJP is getting too big for its boots and needs some competition. And the Hindutva fringe is downright bugging. Besides, where are the new jobs?

This electoral verdict, at any rate, is very clear. It means the Delhi voter has decided to take a risk, and hopes that the AAP can run things better than the BJP here in the city-state. AAP seems keener, so might try harder. Mufflerman and his ministers might be easier to meet and intend to be less arrogant. They now have a full chance to live up to their promises.

Arvind Kejriwal says he wants to run an honest government and stamp out corruption. He says people were afraid to ask for bribes when AAP was in power for 49 days in 2013. He apologised for quitting, promised not to do so again, come what may.

The Delhi public wants to let him try again, this time for a full term. It’s been an incredible comeback for AAP.  

But Kejriwal is also looking over Delhi’s shoulder. Ever cocky, he says: ‘Move over Congress, AAP is the nation’s tallest opposition party’. Were the Delhi voters the first to recognize this? AAP is new, and brings in fresh blood. Ordinary people are often smarter than they look.

For: The Quint

(498 words)

February 10^th, 2015

Gautam Mukherjee