Ab Ki Baar Kejri Sarkar – What AAP’s Brute Majority Means?

Looking at the title of this post, you already have a clue what I’m going to talk about. Yes, it’s AAP’s unprecedented success in Delhi elections! Though victory was expected but I had not imagined that Aam Aadmi Party would end up with a dramatic majority.

Looking at the stats (AAP won 67 of the 70 seats) I’m compelled to think what actually failed Modi-Shah duo. Winning state after state, why was it that the veterans lost so terribly while contesting against a so-called unqualified politician, now Delhi’s soon-to-be chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal? Why couldn’t BJP’s matchless political think tank decode a newcomer’s politics? Why couldn’t the aggressive and innovative duo convince the voters?

Well, I’m neither pro Kejri nor against Modi. I’m in favor of clean politics and Delhi’s development. I won’t say that I’m not happy with the way things turned in AAP’s favor. But more than that I think it’s an apt moment to stop and analyze what Delhi verdict means. Here is what I interpret:

1.       First, everyone in this world is beatable. It’s alright to have a good opinion of you, but you shouldn’t perceive yourself too high. Just when you think you conquered the whole world, someone is already behind you to pull you down. This is what exactly happened to BJP.

2.       Second, Delhi’s verdict is against the absolute power of BJP/Modi-Shah/Hindutava. A city as cosmopolitan and free-spirited as Delhi chooses not to conform. Organizations like RSS and Hindu Mahasabha and their allies can’t find grounds to operate in Delhi the way they want. So what if Modi is in power.

3.       Third, admitting mistakes works in your favor even if you’re a politician. Kejri knew that he made mistakes last time when he was in office. Instead of showing reluctance, he admitted his mistakes and changed his strategies. He cashed in on his ordinary ways of doing things and failing and then mending.

4.       Fourth, you can’t mix religion with politics all the time. Delhi’s youth clearly showed that even ‘Brand Modi’ can’t take advantage of it. The luxury of flirting with religion is gone. Luring minorities won’t bring you votes. Rather politicians need to focus on actual routine issues.

5.       Fifth, you’re constantly under public scrutiny. A prime minister can’t keep talking about his humble beginnings while wearing a designer suit with his name woven all over in golden threads. He can't dwell in past; rather he needs to prove his mettle in present. 

Kejriwal managed to win the hearts of Delhiites whereas it’s a strong blow to Modi-fied BJP. Now the question arises – Will Kejri rely on ‘conventional wisdom’ to deliver his promise to stay put for five years or be a non-conformist and free-spirited as he has always been?