VIEWPOINT
AMITABH SHUKLA
Perhaps Delhi
would soon go in history books as the only state in the post emergency period
where the clamour is to occupy the Opposition benches and avoid the treasury
benches at all costs. I have not seen a state in recent memory where no one
wants to form the government for the simple reason that being in Opposition is
expected to pay bigger dividends than being in government.
Refusal to form the government in
the national Capital by both BJP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has strengthened the
perception that both the parties treated the polls merely as an experiment to
see their respective strength. The perception that the results are now being
used as an excuse by AAP to flex its ideological muscle ahead of the Lok Sabha
elections has also gained strength.
Of course, BJP cannot form the
government as Congress can never support it nor will it ever in the next half a
century anywhere in the country. AAP has also refused to support BJP even
though both parties gained from the anti-Congress mood in the national Capital
as the mandate was primarily for the parties diametrically opposed to the
ruling Congress in the state as well as the Centre.
Coming to the possibilities, for
BJP, there was only one option—form a minority government with 32 MLAs it has
with Akali Dal and ensure absence of a few legislators of AAP at the time of
trial of strength in the Assembly. Later on, it could have got a few MLAs to
resign and then get them reelected on BJP symbol later on. It has been done in
the past in other states and the practice is quite common in the old style of
politics followed both by BJP and Congress.
But that is easier said than done in the national Capital as all eyes
would be on the absentee legislators and TV cameras and sting operations would
trace them to their hospital beds and foreign locations easily. After all, Delhi
is not a remote state where no one is bothered about the political machinations
to form government.
Obviously, central leadership of BJP
would never take the risk before a high voltage Lok Sabha polls in which
political corruption and acts of omission and commission have emerged as key
issues. Moreover, having known Dr Harsh Vardhan, the chief ministerial
candidate of BJP, I am sure he would never allow this. He is clearly not a Yeddyurappa
in Karnataka. BJP has been in the Opposition in Delhi
for the last 15 years and has developed a habit of donning the Opposition
benches. It can wait and watch for another six months and this makes better
political sense. If the result of the re-polls in the assembly is similar even
after the Lok Sabha polls, I am sure BJP would explore all possible opportunity
to form a government six months down the line.
But for AAP, forming government is
extremely easy. Congress offered unconditional support going to the extent of
giving a letter to the Delhi Lt Governor and there would have been no
difficulty for the young party in assuming power in the Players
Building Delhi and could have tried to
implement that with the outside support of Congress. If Congress tries to arm
twist it at any point of time, it can easily blame the party, come out of
government and force another election. That could have further discredited the
Congress and brought sympathy for AAP. But AAP is shy of doing this and the
reasons being cited are politically too shallow.
Not Only Congress, even BJP
offered to support AAP, which was outrightly rejected again. No one can argue
against the fact that in the national Capital, this was a mandate against
Congress. Most of those who voted with a vengeance against the Congress in Delhi
are now asking why both BJP and AAP can’t coordinate with each other to form a
mechanism for a Common Minimum Programme. Some are suggesting that both can
have a shot at power for two and a half years each on the basis of the CMP and the
background of an anti Congress mandate. If this were not acceptable, BJP in any
case is willing to give support to AAP.
Obviously, for Arvind Kejriwal
sitting in Delhi Assembly and becoming the chief minister is not the ultimate
option. Tasting success in his very first electoral outing, Kejriwal and AAP
have now vision fixed higher, much higher. For them, assembly result of Delhi
is a launching pad for bigger things in politics. That perhaps explains the stubborn
attitude.
Much has been written on the
stunning performance of AAP in Delhi Assembly polls. Fortunately or
unfortunately, it did not participate in the assembly polls of Rajasthan,
Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh or Mizoram so no one knows its strength or weakness
beyond the borders of Delhi .
Whether the fledgling party is an anarchist or one with a revolutionary idea
which can forever change politics, only a stint at governance would tell. We
cannot judge AAP on its intentions however noble it may be, on its manifesto
however ideal or lofty it may be or on the newly elected MLAs and their humble
background. Its idealism, plans and anti corruption agenda can be tested only
from the Treasury Benches of the legislature and not the Opposition benches.
Now, Kejriwal has sought 10 days
time from the LG to think about forming government with the support of Congress.
He has written to the Presidents of both BJP and Congress seeking their
clarifications on 18 points. Come on Mr Kejriwal. You are in serious electoral politics
and not in a TV debate; do not make it an instrument for your convenience. When
President’s rule is imposed in Delhi ,
people would only blame you for your intransigent approach. After all President’s rule is simply Congress
rule by proxy as LG has been appointed by the Congress regime in the Centre and
he will rule Delhi all this while. Though
he will never do it, what if the LG appoints the defeated Sheila Dikshit as one
of his Advisors to rule Delhi ? No
one can prevent him from doing so.
AAP of course is making spacious
arguments not to come to power at all costs before the Lok Sabha polls. It
should remember that the level of discussion should not be the one which is
held in college canteen as the issue is not of a College union election but pertains
to a serious issue of formation of government. Its approach is clearly forcing an
election along with the parliamentary polls in May next year. At this juncture,
it is difficult to say whether AAP is one election wonder as BJP and Congress
would like to believe or it would continue to impress the people and become a
harbinger of change. But one thing is
certain. There will be voter fatigue when assembly elections are forced on them
within six months. They may go for a decisive mandate and that could be either
BJP or AAP. If polls are held along with parliamentary polls, national issues
will dominate electoral mind and this is bound to affect the prospects of the
fledgling AAP. (December 16, 2013)
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