Politics is something that I really do not understand. I am sure that same is the case with most of the people who are a mute witness to whatever goes around them in the name of Politics. So does power corrupt. Yes and no both. Yes if Power is used for selfish, self centred vested interests. No if the same power is used for the benefit of all. Sometimes the feeling of all encompassing power does get to the head and when that happens it leads to a host of activities that can be termed as illegal and corrupt. The lust for more power, more money leads to mistakes being committed and then you have a breed of corrupt leaders and disillusioned leaders. I have a purpose behind the small introduction that I have made above and will shortly come closer to the context of this article.
It was all gung ho when the Anna Hazare campaign happened a few years back-India against corruption. It was heartening to note that voices were being raised and the common man was feeling that enough is enough, there can be no more tolerance towards corruption. The key people behind the campaign being Anna, Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, both latter political adversaries as of today.I was one amongst the millions who felt as liberated as Indians would have felt on August15th 1947. People were out in the streets. they were no ordinary people. Working middle class Indians took breaks from their work and joined hands for a common cause-The fight against corruption. suddenly social networking sites came to life, Twitter and facebook was all about the United fight. The Media, TV channels and everyone joined Anna for a common cause, to dismantle the throes of corruption. My voice was one amongst all of them.
All was going well, and as it happens in a mass movement, we could all see differences emerge between Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, Anna being a silent spectator. Stories are now emerging that while Arvind wanted to call out shots against all political parties, Kiran Bedi wanted to be aggressive in the fight against the ruling UPA while being soft on the BJP. This being attributed as the main reason for the two of them deciding to part ways. Subsequently Arvind started to show Political ambitions which Anna was averse to. This led to the formation of the AAP. While Anna was for a mass movement- a non political one, Arvind decided to go the Political route. All along I still had my faith that AAP was the best thing to happen, elections happened and AAP created political tremors in the national capital. They were the single largest party. They had a mandate to rule Delhi. here is where the illusion began. AAP decided to take Congress support to form the government . Arvind was the new CM. Arvind started hankering around the place where he should be staying. From his humble 2 Bedroom flat, he wanted to move into a bigger bungalow. Why should a person so simple wanting only good for the nation hanker around the place where he stays. Secondly why should someone believe in anarchy while being in governance? Why were ministers taking law into their own hands and start functioning as the quasi police? They had a golden opportunity to stamp their presence in the hearts of the voter but they chose to fritter away this chance. Had I been Arvind I would not have ruled Delhi with Congress support, instead would have gone back to the people explaining to them why I did not want power, all I wanted is the common voice against corruption. This would have been an ideal launch pad for India against corruption 2.0. This would have made AAP a force to recon with all across the country. This is also why people like me started thinking that they are one amongst the other Political parties.
Lets now come back to 2015. Its election time in the national capital. Arvind kejriwal Vs Kiran Bedi. AAP Vs BJP. Kiran Bedi an ex Police commissioner was as per my estimation apolitical, above all Political interests. That's why her joining BJP came as a big surprise to me. Going the Political way is not wrong provided it comes with a genuine interest to serve the people. It came as a surprise because I was under the impression that India against corruption was one against the ills of Indian Politics, to stem out the rot and pave the way for a new breed of Politics sans corruption. Bitter campaigning has become the norm of the day with Arvind challenging Kiran Bedi to a Televised debate with the latter refusing to accept the challenge saying it was too late to have one and that it was below her dignity to respond to Arvinds queries. Where was the need to put a BJP scarf around a patriot like Lala Lajpat Rai's statue?
Lastly let me envisage a scenario where the BJP has to form the government with AAP support. Everything will be hunky dory. Arvind and Kiran bedi who have been at each others throats would be the best of friends, Ordinary people like you and me will be back to our work. Forget India against corruption guys, there is more to worry about. Indian Politics is and will always remain illusionary.
It was all gung ho when the Anna Hazare campaign happened a few years back-India against corruption. It was heartening to note that voices were being raised and the common man was feeling that enough is enough, there can be no more tolerance towards corruption. The key people behind the campaign being Anna, Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, both latter political adversaries as of today.I was one amongst the millions who felt as liberated as Indians would have felt on August15th 1947. People were out in the streets. they were no ordinary people. Working middle class Indians took breaks from their work and joined hands for a common cause-The fight against corruption. suddenly social networking sites came to life, Twitter and facebook was all about the United fight. The Media, TV channels and everyone joined Anna for a common cause, to dismantle the throes of corruption. My voice was one amongst all of them.All was going well, and as it happens in a mass movement, we could all see differences emerge between Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, Anna being a silent spectator. Stories are now emerging that while Arvind wanted to call out shots against all political parties, Kiran Bedi wanted to be aggressive in the fight against the ruling UPA while being soft on the BJP. This being attributed as the main reason for the two of them deciding to part ways. Subsequently Arvind started to show Political ambitions which Anna was averse to. This led to the formation of the AAP. While Anna was for a mass movement- a non political one, Arvind decided to go the Political route. All along I still had my faith that AAP was the best thing to happen, elections happened and AAP created political tremors in the national capital. They were the single largest party. They had a mandate to rule Delhi. here is where the illusion began. AAP decided to take Congress support to form the government . Arvind was the new CM. Arvind started hankering around the place where he should be staying. From his humble 2 Bedroom flat, he wanted to move into a bigger bungalow. Why should a person so simple wanting only good for the nation hanker around the place where he stays. Secondly why should someone believe in anarchy while being in governance? Why were ministers taking law into their own hands and start functioning as the quasi police? They had a golden opportunity to stamp their presence in the hearts of the voter but they chose to fritter away this chance. Had I been Arvind I would not have ruled Delhi with Congress support, instead would have gone back to the people explaining to them why I did not want power, all I wanted is the common voice against corruption. This would have been an ideal launch pad for India against corruption 2.0. This would have made AAP a force to recon with all across the country. This is also why people like me started thinking that they are one amongst the other Political parties.Lets now come back to 2015. Its election time in the national capital. Arvind kejriwal Vs Kiran Bedi. AAP Vs BJP. Kiran Bedi an ex Police commissioner was as per my estimation apolitical, above all Political interests. That's why her joining BJP came as a big surprise to me. Going the Political way is not wrong provided it comes with a genuine interest to serve the people. It came as a surprise because I was under the impression that India against corruption was one against the ills of Indian Politics, to stem out the rot and pave the way for a new breed of Politics sans corruption. Bitter campaigning has become the norm of the day with Arvind challenging Kiran Bedi to a Televised debate with the latter refusing to accept the challenge saying it was too late to have one and that it was below her dignity to respond to Arvinds queries. Where was the need to put a BJP scarf around a patriot like Lala Lajpat Rai's statue?
Lastly let me envisage a scenario where the BJP has to form the government with AAP support. Everything will be hunky dory. Arvind and Kiran bedi who have been at each others throats would be the best of friends, Ordinary people like you and me will be back to our work. Forget India against corruption guys, there is more to worry about. Indian Politics is and will always remain illusionary.
