Arvind Kejriwal is an outsider. He is the protester on a pedestal. He is the incumbent party’s agitator and the common man’s facilitator. What he has done in the New Delhi Assembly polls was unprecedented. What he has achieved in the New Delhi assembly was unexpected. Aam Admi Party(AAP) has been given this opportunity for a reason. The have given the tired public a ray of hope. They have promised a cleansing of the processes, a better life and an easier livelihood.
Today the Lt.Gov. of Delhi wants AAP to form the Government with unconditional support from the opposition. But AAP has put its conditions on the table. To the sceptic it might seem that Kejriwal and his party are shrugging from power. The non believer would say, Arvind can create the hype, fight the fight but can not walk the talk. He doesn’t have the conviction to see his agendas to the end. But the reality is far from that. Arvind knows that the Congress and BJP have not become the behemoths they are by offering unconditional supports. They have always had multiple angles to every offer and every support.
If the AAP forms the government from outside support today and later on while they try to bring reforms, they fail miserably because of the lack of majority, it is a win for the old parties. The dream of Jan Lokpal and 50% reduction in electricity costs will remain a dream if the unconditional supporters suddenly turn coat on the floor of the assembly. The goodwill and faith that Arvind and his team earned over a period of 2 years can be soiled within 2 months by the scheming and conniving Congress.
AAP can do some real good only if it becomes a national party. But with their image maligned, their chances in the Lok Sabha Polls will be poor. Once they have been thrashed, rising again will be very difficult. The main constraint will be funds. They will not be able to raise funds after they have lost their image.
With this bigger picture in mind, Arvind Kejriwal’s caution to form the government with unconditional support is understandable. And we as a democratic public, should understand him and bear with him a little longer.