Governing well is the real test for parties like AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s stunning debut in the Delhi Assembly elections is the culmination of the anti-corruption movement spearheaded by Anna Hazare. This has now created political space for New Generation Political Parties (NGPs) like AAP, Nav Bharat and Lok Satta to jostle for ideological and political mindshare. The people will compare and judge these NGPs based on their agenda and ability to govern.

The Old Generation Political Parties (OGPs) have, meanwhile, become irrelevant and do not inspire confidence among large sections of our society, mostly the educated and youth as they are perceived to be corrupt, dynastic and self-serving. The situation had become untenable and the rise of New Generation Political Parties (NGPs) was inevitable. The Anna movement caught the imagination of people and Team Kejriwal followed through to give it a political voice in the form of AAP.

Traditionally in our country, political parties have been formed by splinter groups of politicians who have been part of the existing political parties. The NGPs, however, have mostly non-politicians as their founders.

AAP owes its existence to a popular anti-establishment movement and comprises of people who come from social and civic activism backgrounds. Nav Bharat’s core team comprises of entrepreneurs, social activists and professionals and so also the other NGPs like Lok Satta.

Fighting and winning elections was considered impossible by non-political people without the support of party machinery. The mystery and fear of money, and  the muscle and media needed to fight an electoral battle had kept well meaning people away from entering politics.

AAP’s performance in Delhi reflects a distinct shift in the mindset of the electorate, which had been disenchanted and hence disengaged and was looking for a clean and credible political alternative.

But NGPs have to be careful. People are watching. The Indian electorate is fickle minded and will evaluate our performance much more critically as their expectations are much higher from NGPs.
In this context AAP’s willingness to form the government and it’s ability to deliver on it’s poll promises will be keenly watched. If AAP is found unwilling to rise to the challenge and is unable to deliver, people will get disappointed and that would be a bad news not only for AAP but NGPs in general.

Given that the Congress has given it’s unconditional support, AAP should come forward, spell out its agenda and form the government. It is possible that it may not get cooperation from the BJP and the Congress in delivering its agenda. If so then it should go back to the people and seek a fresh mandate.

But refusing to form the government will confirm people’s perception that NGPs cannot govern, which is what the Old Generation Parties want. Winning an
election is the first step, but forming the government and governing well is the real test for NGPs like AAP.

The nation has taken note and is willing to experiment with the new political outfits. But the enormity and diversity of India’s electoral landscape will make it impossible for any single New Generation Political Party to have a national presence of any consequence in a short period of time.

But NGPs can play a very significant role in national politics despite their small numbers owing to the coalitions that are in vogue at the Centre. They will, however, have to be willing to form meaningful alliances and govern well.

—The writer is founder, Nav Bharat