Remember the famous advertising catch phrase “ you never get a second chance to make first impression? Aam Aadmi Party proved it wrong “ both in Delhi and on last Sunday in Goa. In the national capital their historical debut was followed by a landslide and total victory in spite of their premature abortion of the Arvind Kejriwal regime; in the state capital, albeit their dismal performance in the Lok Sabha election, they pulled off a spectacular show for the Arvind Kejriwal rally on May 22 at Campal. In both cases, they managed to get the second chance to make that all important first impression.
Even though the calm waters of Mandovi were slightly turbinated due to excessive use of Hindi, the party managed to grab everybody’s attention. No one expected Arvind Kejriwal to declare the party’s manifesto or chalk out major policy visions for Goa. Everyone was curiously waiting to see the numbers the rally attracts. After all, that’s what matters when it comes to electoral democracy. Isn’t it?
However, there were some peculiar behind the scenes highlights.
1. Volunteer base: Except BJP, no party in Goa ever had its cadre. Congress always fostered an impression of having solid strength of karyakartas well knowing that 90 percent of them would disappear the moment the party is thrown out of power. BJP always cultivated its organization on ground and boasted about its firm discipline and unflinching support base. For the first time, an offbeat political party constructed equally strong volunteer culture with tit for tat strategy for the BJP. AAP volunteers wearing trendy AAP t-shirts and the back in fashion “Gandhi cap”, now copyrighted by Kejriwal followers, were managing the rally surroundings with remarkable energy and terrific enthusiasm. They even reportedly cleaned the rally venue once it was over; dismounted the posters from electricity polls across Goa and even promised to post full details of the rally expenditure on their website after proper compilation. They relentlessly tweeted to ensure that #goawelcomeskejriwal remained the top India trend of that day on twitter.
2. Strength of unknowns: An electorate equally disenchanted with the BJP and the Congress is in search of an unknown alternative. AAP has attempted to provide face to this alternative. Their constituency coordinators too are unknown. Most of their front-line leaders in the state are not “professional” politicians. The party is clear about not having alliances with any existing players and has declared about its willingness to sit in the opposition if not given adequate seats or simple majority to take over reigns of the state. They speak what is ideal and look just like you and me. Unknown but not hostile.
3. AAP already has the government in the national capital and they are experimenting with some new concepts in the administration. Although the results are not yet prominently visible and administrative reforms haven’t been kicked off as desired, there are no doubts about their intent to perform, deliver and control corruption. BJPs failure to deliver upon major policy decisions and Congress’ disastrous performance as the principle opposition party has definitely created a vacuum for a non-BJP, non-Congress alternative. AAP precisely wants to capitalise on it. Christian population in Goa is fed up with the Congress and has lost faith in the BJP. Many of the Hindus also aren’t satisfied with the way this government has performed. While projecting itself as an anti-corruption crusader, AAP wants to capture both these constituencies. It is trying to amalgamate “secular” ethos of the Congress and “party with a difference” trait of the BJP with an “anti-corruption” emblem. The point is “ can they successfully do it?
AAP’s biggest challenge is bound to come from within than from the other mainstream political entities. Currently, the party has full backing of the activists and NGOs from the state. Let’s call them the “green lobby”. Many personalities from the business sphere too are joining the party. Some of them have been appointed as constituency coordinators too. Let’s call them the “red lobby”. Both these factions have joined AAP under the “anti-corruption” plaque. Will they be able to co-exist for a long time within a single framework?
Desk in-charge of the AAP, Pankaj Gupta, during an interview with me noticeably stated that the party will have to work with mining companies to resolve the crisis in the business. He said no one can be considered an “outcast”. Will some of the hard core anti-mining activists who have become members of the AAP agree to this thought process within the party? I doubt. Similarly, Arvind Kejriwal in his 40-minute long speech pointed at the Shah Commission Report and raised issue of action against the mining companies. Will the proponents of business driven and economy centric politics who are already with the Aam Aadmi Party support such a move?
For now, AAP is a new kid on the block and there is certain amount of intrigue about its functioning and philosophy. There is a vacuum that is prompting many prominent personalities to jump in the fray. AAP too is welcoming everybody with open arms. But many of these individuals, well established activists or businessmen, have their own radical side. They are fully capable of pouncing upon their own party if a policy doesn’t suit their hardened stance. Will AAP be able to handle such diametrical tendencies on the face of an election? That’s the question.
Pramod Acharya is Editor, Prudent Media
