YPOST

THE EMERGENCE OF AAM ADMI PARTY (AAP)

Indians have been participating in elections regularly for over six decades. People have been electing their representatives for running governments at national and state levels and also for local governments. Voting in elections is a formal and simple form of political participation. People’s participation becomes effective only when there is a respect for public opinion. Within a country there are people and groups havingdifferent points of view, some people have disagreements with certain policies or programs of the government. A process of debate and discussion is important for a healthy democracy. The essence of democracy is the freedom to voice one’s opinion even if it is critical of the government. In fact, democracy is enriched when different voices and constructive opinions influence the policies of the government. Democratic government is a government that sustains itself through public opinion which is expressed through the medium of elections. In this lesson, you will learn about elections, the electoral system, the electoral process, universal adult franchise, in addition to the importance of public opinion in a democracy.

You must have observed people voting in elections. Have you voted in any election? We vote to elect our representatives who form and run the government. These representatives implement the government’s policies and programs. People’s participation in the election is what makes our democracy a representative and participatory democracy. But the meaning of people’s participation does not begin and end with their voting in elections. People’s participation is also expressed through public debates, newspaper editorials, protest demonstrations and their active involvement in governmental programs. Even in respect of election process, it includes participation in campaign, political discussion, working for political parties and standing as candidates.

AamAadmi Party is an Indian political party, formally launched on 26 November 2012. It came into existence following differences between the activists ArvindKejriwal and Anna Hazare regarding whether or not to politicize the popular ‘India Against Corruption’ movement that had been demanding a Jan Lokpal Bill since 2011. Hazare preferred that the movement should remain politically unaligned while Kejriwal felt the failure of the agitation route necessitated a direct political involvement.The party's first electoral test was in the 2013 Delhi legislative assembly election, from which it emerged as the second-largest party, winning 28 of the 70 seats. With no party obtaining an overall majority, the AAP formed a minority government with conditional support from the Indian National Congress. The first point in its election manifesto had been that within 15 days, it would pass a bill for a strong ombudsman position that would investigate charges against political leaders on a priority basis. When it became clear that the other major parties would not support this bill, the government resigned after 49 days.

Ramzan Khan was in tears as ArvindKejriwal took his oath as the Chief Minister of Delhi. He could not take his eyes off the podium. It was also an emotional moment for all those around him.It was this signature of democracy that was on full display on December 28 at the iconic Ramlila Ground in the heart of Delhi.

What does the rise of AAP signify for Indian politics? Will politics in India remain the same after the entry of an unconventional party like AAP?

According to the AamAdmi Party there is a lot of anger among the people against the present political establishment that the moment the people saw an alternative in their party, they supported them.

Well, the power and future of AAP can be judged only after this loksabha election. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and wait for the final results.

Suchismita Saha

M.Sc Media, P.G1