New Delhi went to poll last week and results are out. The main contest was believed to be between ruling Congress Party and Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). But as it turns out, the ruling party stands decimated and the contest was between traditional BJP and last year formed Aam Admi Party (AAP) or Common Man’s Party. The latter is a new entrant and offering itself as a clean image and corruption free party. Out of 70 total seats in Delhi legislature, BJP got 31 and AAP got 28 seats respectively. After its rout the ruling party got 8 seats out of which 5 are from Muslim population dominated area.
It appears that BJP got its traditional voter support with a little or no addition. AAP got the votes of poor, migrant and students.The real question is that in the face of such clear wave against the ruling party why BJP, the party with largest seat and a national party could not get the right number of 36 seats and fell short by four seats?
Another question would be: How one year old party won 28 seats and the ‘King-slayer’?
Yet another question is who will form the Government? Time will tell the answer to the last. However the other two questions can be attempted.
One real example will show the malaise that affect Indian polity.
About a fortnight before elections, I visited and left a note with the office of local BJP councillor that a new voter who became major need to be added in voter list. Left my name and phone number. Till day nobody called back. Rumour has it that this councillor wanted to be MLA candidate, himself. Rumour also has it that the president of local BJP did not support or put in best effort in this election.
While AAP was going door to door claiming to be from common man and raising issues of importance and often with impractical solutions, BJP wanted to win this election by waving hands and clapping or relying totally on the rhetoric of Narendra Modi. The last did work but not enough.
It is often said that after a time, two enemies start to look alike. It appears that BJP’s cadre has also become as apathetic as Congress Party was known to be.
In a place like Delhi, where people are mostly educated, they want answers to their problems.
If BJP does not pull it’s socks and this happens to be the case every where, the Parliamentary elections next year in 2014 are also headed for hung parliament. Hare will be caught sleeping while tortoise will reach past the post.
© Sandeep Bhalla
Sandeep Bhalla's Blog 
Unconditional Support ?
To form a government in Delhi , both BJP and Congress have offered AAP , an Unconditional Support
Arvind Kejriwal is asking ,
” For how long ? 3 weeks or 3 months ? ”
He cannot forget what those parties did to destroy the ” India Against Corruption ” movement in the Ramlila grounds in 2011
So he has asked Sonia Gandhi and Rajnath Singh ,
” Forget about ‘ giving ‘ un-asked for unconditional support
But since you have been so magnanimous , here are my 18 conditions for
‘ taking ‘ your support
Do you accept these conditions ? ”
Sonia and Rajnath are silent !
They don’t like being exposed !
A Congress spokesman even said on TV channel last evening ,
” Most of what AAP proposes , require mere administrative decisions .
Our support does not come in picture ”
A BJP stalwart said,
” How can there be any government without a strong opposition ?
Of course , we will oppose you whenever we disagree with you .
How can we tell you now , which of your 18 conditions , we will
oppose – and when ?
When time comes , we will get a signal from our high command ”
As Arvind knows too well , both BJP and Congress will simply wait for the very first opportunity to pull the rug from under the feet of AAP
Irrespective of who introduces a ” No – Confidence ” motion in Delhi Assembly , each will give the other , an ” Unconditional Support ” !
It is a pity , no TV anchor is asking them :
Madam / Sir ,
Does your unconditional support mean , you will decide ,
> Who will introduce a no-confidence motion and when ?
> Who will ask the LG , to recommend President’s Rule and when ?
> Who will take the credit to discredit AAP , and when ?
> Who will brag to Delhi-ites, ” We had told you AAP cannot perform ” ?
But people of Delhi are asking following questions ( no doubt inconvenient to BJP / Congress ) ,
> If unconditional support only means , mere postponement of the re-
poll , why not get over with it , right now ?
> What is game-plan of Congress / BJP ?
> How can we put an end to this absurdity called ” Support ” ?
> Isn’t it time to give 50 seats to AAP in re-poll ?
* hemen parekh ( 15 Dec 2013 / Mumbai )
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An excellent presentation of perspective of AAP. BTW what are those 18 conditions? Has AAP published it on it’s website? Pl. give link.
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