Hum, AAP aur Wo

Delhi has chosen its valentine and in what style! In a triangular love contest, Mr Kejriwal emerged as  a final winner, trouncing his opponents, the two biggest national parties of India. The 'Wo' (read BJP and Congress)  couldn't woo Delhi with their talks neither their gifts (read poll promises) could impress her. On the other hand, the gift kitty of AAP ( free wifi, cheap electricity) won the heart of Delhi and it was rewarded with an assured tenure of minimum 5 years. (Unless they choose to desert her again for someone else :( ( Lok Sabha  ) ) 

This was a historic election on many counts. Not just by the sheer number of seats won by AAP, but also because of approval of the new kind of "clean politics" by the people of Delhi. In itself, the words "clean" and "politics" seem to be oxymoron. How can politics be clean? Or what are clean people doing in politics? At least the history of electoral politics in India makes one wonder about this contradiction. Don't agree with me? Look at UP and Bihar.  

They say with great power comes great responsibility. And dear, by giving 95% seats to AAP, Delhiites have put a  huge responsibility on its still tender shoulders. A hope of the masses. From an autorickshaw driver who is intimidated by the policeman on the roads of capital, to a college going girl who is worried as the clock starts going past 7 pm, from a housewife who struggles to strike a balance between the monthly income and inflationary pressures, to a migrant from Bihar living in unauthorized colony in the outskirts of the city. Each of them have a very diverse expectation from AAP and its charismatic leader Mr. Kejriwal. And they have rejected all other options, trusting him with everything. This trust is a huge responsibility. Will the AAP be able to deliver its promises in the face of various challenges and difficulties that are bound to come in its way?

Without sounding cynical, I would like to note that the task at hand is really a daunting one. Ambitious programmes like installing 15 lakh CCTV cameras, opening 20 new colleges, 500 new schools, though announced with best of the intentions, will put great pressure on the already constrained treasury of Delhi. Another big problem will be reforming the whole bureaucratic machinery which has become too heavy and inefficient now. AAP and its politics are anti-establishment in their nature. Now the very establishment (or at least few of its elements) will try to make every effort in the form of rules and procedures so that AAP fails. It will be interesting to see how Mr Kejriwal pulls off these promises.

Nevertheless, history has anyways been created. So when Mr Kejriwal will be taking the oath as the Chief Minister of Delhi on this Valentine, the whole of Delhi will be watching with anticipation, hope and aspirations. AAP has captured the imagination of people, not only in India, but also people of other countries in South Asia and world who will be watching very closely their work. I hope that Mr Kejriwal and his new politics doesn't fail them, at least for the sake of  people of Delhi.