The recent infighting in the AAP has been a bit of a let down, I must confess at the very outset. BUT, as I hit the sack late last night after watching a debate on NDTV here’s what struck me.
But before that since I am in the confessional mode, let this be said too. I am not an avid follower or a miss-know-all about politics. I feel and share as a lay Indian who felt invigorated and enthused to follow the goings on in the political arena with the coming of this new party AAP. My deductions could be all silly and naive. Correct me if I’ve got it wrong.
So, getting back to the point…
Congress is a party with many experienced stalwarts but the unwritten rule is – the Nehrus rule (I refuse to call them the Gandhis for there was only one Gandhi). That puts to rest the ambitions of a Digvijay, Chidambaram, Jairam Ramesh or anyone else. They bow to the likes of Sonia and Rahul, who lack political acumen in every which way to put it politely. The Congress sacrifices the well being of our nation at the altar of survival.
In the BJP, Mr Modi rules. Mr Modi speaks while all others are muzzled unless sanctioned a few words by the PM. Good or bad, right or wrong, Mr Modi’s writ prevails.
Coming back to AAP, this infighting was a given in the absence of an indisputable dynastic heir apparent (no matter how embarrassingly incompetent) or a name synonymous with the party, BJP=Modi. An eloquent and calm Yogendra Yadav, qualified Bhushan are the face of the party – its USP, its think tank. AAP isn’t just Arvind Kejriwal, at least not as of now. It’s a fledgling party where no one leader is senior because of the years he or she has put into service. It’s a party of equals. Many can stake a claim at the leadership.
I did a double take when the AAP came out with its list of ministerial candidates. Most names were new to me. To me, it already reeked of AKs insecurity. While I wished for the best, a niggling doubt persistently clung on.
Coming back to the fighting, I think it’s a healthy sign of a thriving democratic party. I’m glad authority, actions and decisions are being questioned and everyone isn’t kneeling down in obeisance. If in the process , the ‘manthan’, the AAP as we know it today, crumbles, so be it. I have hope in the wisdom of millions of our country. Another AAP shall rise. Principles must be upheld and wrong spoken against. Some values, ethics, tenets are worth fighting for – dirty linen and party be damned.
