08 December 2013, 05:37 PM IST
While BJP may claim, with some merit, that they have done well despite it being a cliff-hanger in Chhatisgarh and Delhi, it is the grand entry of Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party that is undoubtedly the talking point of the current 5 state assembly elections, also being referred to by many as the semi-finals for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
The way the rookie political party, along with the BJP, has turned it into a virtual two party show in the national capital, making mincemeat of the ruling Congress, not only pushing it to No. 3, but almost in the category of OTHERS, is something the Congress would need some serious soul-searching to come to terms with.
Sure, there would be lot of analysis and discussion on what it could have been if AAP weren't in the picture and it was a straight fight between BJP and Congress. Some say it would have been 4/5th for the former. Perhaps, but that is now hypothetical. The truth is AAP has made an entry and how!
There are other reasons why AAP's performance could be a game-changer in Indian politics. First of all, this performance must give confidence to millions that when the common man is genuinely interested and rises in support spontaneously, money power, which had hitherto played a huge role in elections thus far, can be shown the door.
Election funding is recognised as the single biggest reason for corruption. A large number of politicos swindle in the name of election funding. Of course, some of it also helps in filling their own coffers and stashing that ill-gotten wealth in safe havens abroad. So, when a rookie party shakes that very foundation of established, infinitely more cash rich parties, it can only be sweet music for any democracy. Touchwood!
Even more interesting is that the decimated party was the ruling party, and the party's chief minister herself had a reputation that would be enviable. It shows that despite being generally branded as one with a short memory, the voter is showing he has evolved. He is shouting from the rooftops that whatever you might do, we do not forget your scandals. He has told them in no uncertain terms that he has not forgotten the scandals involving the Commonwealth games in 2010.
And it is this that should give jitters to Congress for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. For, at the national level, there have been scandals by the day. Aadarsh, 2G, Coal, Defense deals, land allotments in Haryana and on and on. It is increasingly clear that thanks to a vibrant media, including an increasingly active social media, the citizens of this nation are not going to forget things in a hurry.
What could be worse for the Congress is the general refrain among a lot of AAP supporters that they would vote for Arvind in local elections and Modi for the general elections. And despite what anyone has to say, the impact Modi has made on a huge number of people by constantly raising issues that they identify with, all over the country, is unmistakable. More importantly, the way he has galvanised BJP's own cadre is immense. Others can overlook it only at their own peril.
Considering that AAP is still a Delhi party and may not necessarily have the wherewithal, including the support system to yet make a mark nationally, Congress should really be worried, its decent showing in Chhatisgarh notwithstanding.
The other thing that must worry the grand old party is that its so called vote catchers have (or should it be has?) proven to be a liability. It is no surprise that there have been reports that several candidates in Rajasthan pleaded with their party satraps to keep the star national campaigner away from their constituency.
Whatever it might be, while BJP has easily retained Madhya Pradesh and wrested an electorally important Rajasthan, Congress is struggling. But it is AAP that has created a flutter. A flutter that can only be welcome by those who value democracy!
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Elections 2013’s real victor is the aam aadmi, not just the party
Dengan url
http://osteoporosista.blogspot.com/2013/12/elections-2013as-real-victor-is-aam.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Elections 2013’s real victor is the aam aadmi, not just the party
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Elections 2013’s real victor is the aam aadmi, not just the party
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar