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?
