Friends, You would recall my posting of 8 Jan 2014 wherein I had called for an e-referendum which would end on the Republic Day at noon. As it happens on the net, responses reach 95% of possible responses in 72 hours of any emailing or posting on social media - that is my experience. Therefore after posting on 8th, I repeated the call on 11th and finally on 12th. I received, as mentioned in posting in between till 26 Jan, about 4.25% of my ~2200 fb friends. About 80% of them responded in affirmation and some of them gave reasons why I am suitable to jump into the fray. Someone went to the extent of saying that I could be another Yogendra Yadav for AAP. Someone else mentioned that since AAP is a movement, I must join in to give direction to it. There were some who said AAP is too immature to join now. Some said this is a bunch of agitators who do not know what governance is. Good e-debate came forth, especially because of the dynamics of events taking place in Delhi, starting with Khirki episode, followed by the dharana by CM himself. Truth of the Khirki episode is elusive but would the womens brigade of AAP have tried to voice their concern if there was not element of truth in the Delhi Police version? What has bugged me is that of all persons, Yogendra Yadav asking the brigade to pipe down (shut up) as media was around. Whither transparency! I had posted some youtube videos of Arvind Kejriwal, Yogendra Yadav and even Medha Patkar in the intervening time. These give positive impressions of a party whose governing people are in the learning mode. Many of you have expressed that persons like me should be with them to keep them on track. Firstly, please note that Medha Patkars NAPM is supporting AAP. They have not Joined AAP. The Mumbai and Maharshtra convenors of Loksatta Party are apparently not going along with AAP. At Delhi, Loksattas senior members along with Jayprakash Narayan met AAP National Executive and apparently, AAP wants Loksatta to merge with AAP. Arrogance surfacing? While my personal view is of repealing of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from J&K and the Eastern States, their presence in these border states has to be there but in the barracks and international borders and not patrolling people and streets of cities and towns. If the learned Prashant Bhushan holds similar views, it is alright, but saying that Indian Army should be removed from these places would be unacceptable. Utterances must be correct leaving no room for misunderstanding. When the Transport Minister does not understand what Sustainable Mobility is all about and has no time to learn since Government of Delhi is on a fast track, and similarly the people of AAP in Mumbai have different viewpoints which does not look at Aam Janatas needs other than anti corruption plank, the domain expertise I have will not get a chance to go further. In fact, almost an year ago, the Mumbai AAP Convenor asked me to give a brief on what should be done for Mumbais transport, I gave him a paper for Mumbais mobility. This friend of mine has not come back to me for further discussion with his team. When I went to AAP Mumbai office on 10 Jan to get the feel of AAP Mumbai,, he welcomes me with warmth and says I should lead the technical group on infrastructure and transport. Very tempting indeed to get things moving. But only a naive will believe that AAP will govern in other parts of India, including Mumbai after unexpected electoral success in Delhi. So where do my independent views go if I join AAP and AAP in its so called immaturity and incompetence constantly violates constitutional provisions. Past month and a half has been a great learning for me on all fronts - personal and social. Attending Deliberations on Development Plans of BMC has exposed me to the diversity and injustice that prevails even in the city of Mumbai and how people are meticulously working towards being included in the DP for 2014-2034. I am essentially a commuter who walks and takes public transport like the overwhelming majority of Mumbaikar, though I too could get into the vehicular traffic congestion, adding to the woes of all while sitting in the AC Car. Let me put it up front to all of you. Firstly I am not a politicking person and to learn the tricks of that trade, I will have to forego doing what I can offer independently - sustainable urban mobility and work towards improving quality of life. Secondly, my being associated with party A, B or C (coincidentally AAP, BJP, Congress :) ) would prevent the parties coming to power from adopting my suggestions (of Sustainable Urban Mobility Network of India) and the loss will be of the City of Mumbai and People of the state and at national level too. Therefore, I have taken the decision to do things independently and try through various channels that are available to bring about changes, some of them I do want to see in my lifetime and I have confidence that will happen. I would like to thank you all for having participated in the e-referendum. I hope you are able to appreciate the viewpoint I have put forth. I like my independence and I think if I draw respect for my views, it is because of their being independent. Thank you once again, every one who responded online and offline too.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Feb 2014 14:41:18 +0000