YPOST

AAP- “THE WAYWARD DREAM”

People’s participation in democracy strives to create opportunities for all members of a population to make meaningful contributions leading to decision-making and acts as an eye-opener to broaden the people’s mind. Similarly, the emergence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has created an upsurge and revolution in the history of Indian democracy.

            The Indian political party, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) founded in 26^th Nov, 2012 emerged with the goal to fight against corruption entrenched in Indian politics. A large group headed by Arvind Kejriwal felt the need to have a direct political movement in order to fight against corruption. The party believed in the ideology that the common people of India remains unheard and unseen what it suits the politicians. So, he wanted to reverse the way that the accountability of government operates and that all the people gets an opportunity to participate in politics with laying stress on self-governance and community building.

According to Kejriwal as he says that “We are aam aadmis”, it stresses on the fact that the suffering of the common people at the hands of government officials and the system will go away if people get actively involved in politics. The party decided to approve the symbol for ‘broom’ for use in that campaign. The AAP has brought a revolution in India after 1947, which brought change in the way the politics is conducted in the country. Today, the people are enjoying their real freedom. For the first time, in India, a real democracy of the people and by the people has been established.

              The AAP has done some successful works which are to be noted that it has promised to reduce electricity bills and give away free water which have motivated many politicians. The party has turned out to be a “game changer” in Indian Politics when it captured the absolute majority in Delhi Assembly winning 28seats in the 70- member house by side tracking both the two important national parties, Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This spectacular electoral performance in Delhi elections has brought every political party in surprise who had not taken it seriously at all. The oath-taking of Arvind Kejriwal amidst a sea of supporters in the Ramlila Maidan and a large group of people showing interest in joining the AAP has woken up the Congress and BJP to the perils of ignoring this new player.

                 Addressing at a press conference in the village, Ralegan Siddhi, Anna Hazare has said that, “Kejriwal has a clean record and has a will to do something good for the country.” Based on the past records, the fledging of AAP, born from the crucible of the anti-corruption movement has generated a new kind of energy and hope in the country which had never been witnessed before. The people have accepted the leadership of AAP because of their defiant attitude for their fight against rampant corruption of recent times such as “Common Wealth Games, Coal Black distribution, 2G Scam, etc.”

 However, AAP is yet to be an organized party for fullest participation in Indian democratic structure. One of the supporters of AAP, Yogendra Yadav said he had never this kind of meteoric rise and endorsement of the party in a short time span.

            Now the question arises, “Does Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP has a brighter future aspect or not??” Predicting the future is an extremely dangerous exercise in Indian politics, especially in a country like India where a large number of variables play a bigger role. It fixes Congress and BJP and threatens to affect regional parties. AAP has no doubt created a storm in the Indian politics, but it is doubtful whether their ability of sustenance in Indian politics in near future will stay or not.

It is uncertain what fate awaits the AAP in future, but it has certainly unnerved India’s political parties. Running a government is not an easy task as being a party of perpetual opposition to everything. At present, AAP is Teflon-coated with its supporters, and no amount of media questioning will change that. It is now in the growth phase. Yet, its long-term future is far from secure. If it does well in the Lok Sabha elections then it will be possible to achieve everything impossible. Thus, the new kid on the block is riding high and is likely to stay there for a longer period.

-         Debasmita Banerjee 
Msc. Media Science, P.G 1