India will vote for Lok Sabha elections in the next couple months. Everyone recognises that there is an urgent need to cleanse our country’s political system. Like most of my close family and friends I started supporting Narendra Modi (NaMo) assuming that he would be the magical change agent. However as I listened to his talks, I realized that these did not seem all that different than any other politicians. At first, I thought that NaMo may be a man of actions and not words. Unfortunately, BJP’s desperate measures forming alliances left-right- centre and including the same corrupt elements that we all would like to see behind bars does do not bear that out. Next, I tried to analyze if BJP will be able to make any difference if it comes to power. I do not know if NaMo is corrupt, nor do I know the ground level realities of Gujarat success story first hand (filtering the media noise). Let’s begin on the premise that NaMo is not corrupt and that Gujarat success story was solely due to NaMo factor (instead of other factors such as entrepreneurial spirit of our Gujarati brothers and sisters, etc). One thing we need to remember is that NaMo has been in power since 2001 so he has had a lot of time to accomplish what we think is a progressive Gujarat today and his government was in majority all this time so he could pretty much do what he wanted. However the situation will be very different at the national level. NaMo’s PM ambitions can only be fulfilled when he takes support of all the possible alliances that his party is forming in such a hurry. Alliances means different views and different ambitions would have to be supported. Further since BJP has become a new home for the same corrupt criminals, it will be impossible for NaMo to take any decisive action against any of his corrupt MPs/ alliance partners. This means it will be the history repeating itself with greed, corruption and crony capitalism intact within our political system. It is ridiculous how our brains have become so used to these things that we are willing to compromise with them under the banner and hope of economic progress. Then there is an argument that even with corruption at least NaMo’s government will be better in a sense that at least 50% of what is spent would benefit the general people where as under Congress rule hardly 5% reached the ultimate man with the rest being gobbled up by corrupt politicians, middlemen and business houses. Certainly that is a step change... seriously??... so should we rejoice and be content with this progress? Maybe we should if we do not have any other option. However it would be foolishness to overlook any viable alternative under the pretext that NaMo might be effective at national level given above reasons. Until Delhi elections I had only heard about Arvind Kejriwal (AK). Even after he got elected I did not take much interest in his views or never heard him speak. It was only after AK resigned when I heard him speak for the first time during his post resignation interview. He talked about what his government achieved in 49 days, why he decided to step down, what were the conditions, etc. I liked what he said however I wasn’t sold on to him immediately and it was a difficult and slow transition to move my allegiance from NaMo to AK. I stopped listening to media interpretations and media reports as they always tend to give one sided story for any individual or party. I only listened directly to speeches and talks of top leadership in AAP and BJP thanks to YouTube that it is possible in this day and age. This avoided any distortion and wrong interpretations from media. And then I saw my doubts melting away: · AK is dishonest/corrupt: AK is a graduate of IIT Kharagpur, went into Civil Services and became Commissioner of Income Tax. He was awarded the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay for his social contribution and to bring in RTI to campaign against corruption. He donated his award money (25 lakhs) as a seed fund to start NGO. If money were his motivation, he had ample opportunities in the past to earn it legitimately or via illegitimate channels. · AK does not have political experience and wants to become PM – So do you mean to say that so called ‘experienced politicians’ whom we have elected thus far delivered better results? · AK is an anarchist/ activist – Nothing wrong in that. We are so used to our spineless politicians that when we see someone like AK opposing paid media, corrupt police, industrialists that we instead of supporting him make him the villain. · Couldn’t handle Delhi – Know the facts before making such statements. He promised to pass Jan Lokpal bill to ensure corrupt people are put behind bars. Congress who promised unconditional support, however like always broke its promise. Instead of compromising on the bill AAP kept its integrity and stepped down. · AK is power hungry – yeah right that’s why he stepped down I can hear some say, he stepped down so that he can focus on Lok Sabha – hmm.., try giving this logic to NaMo. · Took support from Congress – We need to learn the difference between ‘taken’ and ‘given’, it’s not the same thing! · AK will only appease minorities – not sure where we get this from?? · AK does not have fully fleshed out own economic or foreign policy – No news here. AAP is hardly a matured party, they are taking time to develop these with people’s input and consensus. Till the time the integrity is intact and intentions are appropriate I am ok with whatever comes out of this process. We made progress in the last 60 years in spite of Congress rule. Even if we do not change the policies and just ensure they are implemented effectively by taking out the corruption and favouritism we will do far better. · Corruption is the only agenda point – Yes and No. Because it is the one point that if solved then all other points will fall in place even with status quo or new policies. · AK might be good but he won’t come to power and provide stable govt like BJP/Congress so why waste a vote – Do we really need a stable corrupt government like how we have had in the past (which will do anything to remain in power)? or should we take “some risk” in opting for a party that will clean the system and set a precedence for higher standards aamaadmiparty.org/how-are-we- different ? Further who is to say that AK won’t come to power? Delhi proved that common people have power and that miracles do happen. · AK is agent of Congress/ Pakistan/ West – Don’t we just love these conspiracy theories!! I find it amusing when even educated people buy into this horseshit! · AK is an idiot – Wow really?? · He is a joker! – Now we are talking! Maybe joker is what we need to win this hand!! The more I reflect on the current political scenario, the more I realize that AAP deserves my support. AAP is not a high command driven party - whether from 10 Janpath or Nagpur. Rather, it is an assimilation of people from different thoughts/ viewpoints/ ideologies hence there will be some real effort required of them to deliver. I also believe that no matter how stringent the criteria there will always be few bad apples. The important thing is whether AAP tries to hide behind legalities, or does it take solid steps to stem the rot? AAP comes out with flying colours on that test. I have two requests from my friends who still support BJP or for that matter from all my friends. Before you cast your valuable vote: 1) Get informed – cut out the media noise and listen to leaders themselves so that you do not hear media’s interpretation which are almost always biased. Yogender Yadas presentation on Ghosnapatra is an excellent place to start. 2) Follow your gut instinct – do not vote for a leader only because you share the same ethnicity, religion or region, ask your conscience what feels right after listening to them. Also, do not vote just on strategic calculations. Even if our vote can only put AAP in opposition, not in power, that is fine. We need both an honest government and an honest opposition for democracy to succeed. I thank you for taking the time to read this long post. I welcome any thoughts, comments, views from you however please be respectful in your tone. Jai Hind!
Posted on: Thu, 03 Apr 2014 14:18:52 +0000
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