AAP's relevance in 2020

AAP's relevance in 2020

M G Warrier
Blog 5038
February 14, 2020

The emergence of Aam Aadmi Party as a political force is, relatively a recent development. A lot of literature
has been generated in the media about the broom (AAP's election symbol) and its impact on the political landscape of India. The message sent out by AAP from Delhi in 2020 will be interpreted by different people in different ways, depending on their individual constituency interests.
Naturally, the responses are going to be diverse.
In 2020, the Indian Aam Aadmi has asserted his right to make his voice heard,
thanks to the opportunity provided by, and the strength infused by AAP and its previous incarnation
India Against Corruption(IAC), both of which grew under the leadership
of Arvind Kejriwal. 

Even the success of BJP-led alliance in 2014 Elections can be partly attributed to the taking charge of the responsibility of governance by every Indian citizen, irrespective of their economic
status (Famously referred to as “WE THE PEOPLE” in the preamble of the
Constitution of India)  to organise, wherever they are, and force the
legislature, executive and the judiciary at all levels to uphold the
spirit of the Constitution and bring back ethics and morality to
governance.

Remember what Kejriwal said in an
interview during the early days of AAP. He observed: “I am aware that
the status quoist parties will derail us because we have challenged
the basic premise of their existence. But we are a party which is here
to change the politics of all other parties. Very soon you will see
how the other parties will be forced to follow our agenda."

People are concerned about the delays in honouring commitments as the last 70
years did not see India through enforcement of important Directive
Principles of State Policy enshrined in the Constitution.

This country’s problems, from day one,
post-independence, can be sourced to centralization of power and
resources. It does not start or end with government or governance.
Power and money are consciously centralised in India, right from
central government to the smallest political party fighting elections.
Perhaps Gandhiji knew this when he pleaded for the dismantling of
Congress, as he was sadly becoming aware that his dream of
‘Gramaswaraj’ was not being shared by majority of congressmen. Success
of any India-specific solution for improving major Human Development
Indicators will depend on a decentralised approach.

The kind of ‘THE BUCK STOPS HERE’ model of leadership may not be
sustainable for democracies like India. Still, strong leadership is what will
ensure survival of nations.

Walter Bagehot, the nineteenth century British journalist and
businessman, who wrote extensively about government, economics and
literature had this to say about leadership:
“By the structure of the world we often want, at the sudden occurrence
of a grave tempest, to change the helmsman-to replace the pilot of the
calm by the pilot of the storm.”

Research-oriented approach from the regulators, and to some extent
from the legislators, towards the reforms of financial markets and
ensuring financial stability and financial inclusion which has been
part of the reform agenda has helped diagnose the ills of the
financial sector and definitely expedited getting right prescriptions
for restoring and maintaining the health of the economy. 

The political
leadership and the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs could think of
promoting a similar R & D approach for the political system to take
care of the diagnostic needs of the executive and legislative
machinery which is waiting for an overhaul of processes and procedures
including those relating to selection, training and placement of
suitable individuals for manning various positions.

There are schools, colleges, institutes and even universities grooming
candidates for different careers and providing opportunities to take
up serious study/research in the area of specialization in which they
have an aptitude. Time and resources permitting, one can reach an
acceptable level of professionalism by undergoing courses of one’s
choice before taking up any career, except politics. Time is opportune
for India to think of establishing schools of politics, starting from
graduation,  across the country, to take care of the educational needs
of people  taking up politics as a career whether in political
organizations or in legislative bodies or government.

Industrial houses which are magnanimous in giving donations to
universities and business schools and government which fund research
and development efforts of IITs and IIMs will not find it difficult to
find resources for financing this initiative.

To ensure that the benefits of political education reach the target
group, a reverse reservation system through committed campus
recruitment of cadre by political parties and transparent remuneration
arrangement for full time political work will have to be thought of. A
corollary would be a smooth exit route and rehabilitation scheme for
the sick, aged, disabled, illiterate and tainted lot of politicians
holding various positions in political parties, governments and
legislatures. They should be paid pension to maintain the lifestyle
they are entitled and they should be retained as resource persons to
support and mentor the new generation entering politics and
government.
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