Despite not having an absolute majority and on ‘crutches’ from Congress whose so called ‘un-conditional’ support cannot be taken for granted (already, ex-CM has clarified that this is ‘conditional’ and issue based), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) under Mr Arvind Kejriwal has caught the bull by horn in deference to the wishes of majority public opinion of Delhi citizens.
Mr Kejriwal draws his confidence not just from overwhelming support AAP got from public during elections and through referendum thereafter but more so from his ‘complete’ and ‘intrinsic’ surrender and dedication to the welfare of the people and no less important, his willingness to govern in an ‘open’ and ‘transparent’ manner.
It is precisely this ‘openness’ and ‘transparency’ that gives him the much needed strength and resilience to face contingencies like not being able to deliver on seemingly ambitious promises – 50% cut in power tariff, free supply of water up to 700 litre per household per day etc – even as he has done his home work well and should be able to deliver.
Congress having faced a stunning defeat in elections and yet got an opportunity to influence stability or otherwise of AAP dispensation (that is a sheer coincidence given matrix of numbers in Delhi Assembly), will be looking for convenient moment to justify its course of action. Whether or not it will pull the carpet from beneath Mr Kejriwal’s feet and when, only time will tell!
Inability of AAP to deliver on promises would be a natural target which Congress may use to play on sensibilities of an over-charged and enthusiastic public. This is where Mr Kejriwal’s unique approach to governance with focus on keeping decision making transparent and in eyes of public will be very helpful. He can sustain the confidence of citizens saying, he tried his level best but, got hamstrung by circumstances.
Should there be any foul play by Congress (it will be attempting so at its own peril as General elections are only a few months away), Mr Kejriwal’s governance style – with its hallmark of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ will expose that as well. And in case, former pulls the rug without sufficient cause, that will only bolster latter’s credibility and serve as bull-work to catapult AAP to the seat of power with a thumping majority when elections are held next.
However, there is need for circumspection. The new Government must avoid on its own volition, repeated reference to the promises made in AAP’s election manifesto. Such pronouncements made post-election has a fundamentally different impact than any promise made during or prior to the election process.
Being at helm of Government, a commitment reiterated after assuming power will implant a belief that it shall be redeemed within the ‘committed’ time frame. And, if does not happen (not because the intent is in doubt, but due to factors totally beyond control), the public perception can change dramatically!
Take the case of promised cut in power tariff by 50%. Prima facie, it is possible to deliver on this commitment and that too immediately (pl see https://www.uttamgupta.com/power/50-cut-power-tariff-mr-kejriwal-can-deliver/) . Yet, Kejriwal faces several imponderables in implementing this promise.
Chairman, Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has come out with a statement that revision in power tariff comes under its ambit/jurisdiction. Yet, if Delhi Government wants to lower tariff, it may do so by giving subsidy.
A logical course Kejriwal will follow is to get an audit of power distribution companies (PDCs) done by CAG, pinpoint financial irregularities and pave way for reduction in tariff. That process will take time and there is no certainty that post-audit, 50% reduction would be possible as this will depend on outcome of audit.
As regards water, given the quantity available and the scale of leakages (estimated at around 40%), delivering on the commitment of 700 litre per household per day should be possible. Yet, implementation could be long-drawn process. In several areas, there are no pipeline connections; in this backdrop, even if water is arranged, it cannot reach homes!
Action on promises will also have to reckon with ‘vested interests’. For instance, dismantling the ‘tanker mafia’ – a pre-requisite for implementing promise on water will be an arduous and time consuming process.
It is therefore, imperative that Kejriwal completely sheds his earlier ‘activist’ incarnation and stops talking about election promises. Instead, he needs to sensitize public to realities on ground, constraints and gets focused wholeheartedly on gearing administrative machinery to deliver at earliest possible.
Time being a scarce resource, he needs to spend more time on governance issues keeping public interfaces to bare minimum. The task of receiving public complaints and addressing their grievances can be handled by officials or grass-root functionaries of party.
Government needs to deal with bureaucracy in a very careful and calibrated manner. Mr Kejriwal could have refrained from drastic shuffling of top bureaucrats reminiscent of ways established parties act and is not well perceived by public. Ideally, even a dis-honest official should be made to work honestly.
Having generated an air of freshness in Indian politics and shown the way to an alternative mode of governance that keeps public interest on the centre-stage, for now, AAP should remain focussed on Delhi and successfully demonstrate this works.
At this juncture, it should refrain from its national ambitions, spreading tentacles all over the country. This may result in diffusion and dissipation of energies and diluted focus on this alternative model even in Delhi. That would also obviate the need for AAP to induct members from all hues irrespective of their past and current affiliations thereby opening the flood-gates.
The open invitation to all and sundry to join the party and reckless pace of accommodating even persons from established parties certainly does not bode well for AAP’s future as a sustainable and credible alternative to subsisting dispensation.
How long will citizens of Delhi enjoy fruits of this new style of governance? Next 3 months are crucial!