What should be the AAP strategy after the dharna?
Action plan
The only way AAP can convince voters nationally is by taking some rock-solid decisions like the anti-curroption helpline, free 700 ltr water, power bill redction. This is what is expected from the AAP, they have started with a gud determination to do work and that determination needs to be maintained. The passage of the Janlokpal for Delhi by the AAP govt, is the next decision they must focus on.
Conclusion
It is the action, the determination and no-nonsense attitude which has encouraged millions to leave their jobs and business to do something for their country by joining AAP. The party must be aware of grand-standing in the future and from people who want to utilise it for personal means. The part has been blessed with two sane and brilliant minds of Arvind Kejriwal and Yogendra Yadav. No other party has the fortune of two such brilliant leaders at its forefront. With proper strategy and execution, AAP can turn the tide in its favour and make a mark nationally.
(P.s: Disclosur: The author is an AAP supporter, and as a well-wisher has expressed his views)
The recent dharna by AAP(Aam Aadmi Party) led by Arvind Kejriwal has aroused all types of opinions. Some are calling them anarchist while some are supporting their fight against Delhi police. Lets take a look at the issue and what the party can do in the coming future.
Anarchists?? Really
"Maybe they want to shirk from their responsibility" , this is the common theme of all those who are labelling AAP as anarchists. These include the BJP, Congress and the so called TV debate "experts". Even though the Delhi government has taken very good short-term decisions, the decision to go on a dharna for suspension orders of three SHOs showcases that AAP is still in its nascent stages. Such an action could have taken through the "high-level" talks and if the central govt would have refused, then such an agitation could have taken place. Directly going to the streets has given ammunition to the grand old parties that the new "kid in the block" has lost his way.
Even though AAP's usp is their out-of-the-box thinking, regularly applying such quickfire thinking can lead to a PR disaster as seen in the media coverage. The leaders should realise that AAP has risen as a hope for a new kind of politics. It has successfully woken up the old politicos from their sleep. Thus each and every step must be thought properly.
Delhi Police
Everone knows how corrupt the Delhi police is. We the people know that there is a need for reforms. Mr Kejriwal and his Cabinet should now start applying pressure on the central govt for the demand of statehood of Delhi and complete control of Delhi police. Taking on the Delhi police in the form of an agitation gives mixed signals to the middle-class, who form about 70-75% of the AAP supporters. People are with AAP when they demand complete control of police. But when news start appearing regarding the alleged "vigilantism" by a minister, the questions arise whether are they really different. A systematic fight with the reluctant central government to gain Delhi police control over a longer period of time would be a better strategy.
Delhi Police
Everone knows how corrupt the Delhi police is. We the people know that there is a need for reforms. Mr Kejriwal and his Cabinet should now start applying pressure on the central govt for the demand of statehood of Delhi and complete control of Delhi police. Taking on the Delhi police in the form of an agitation gives mixed signals to the middle-class, who form about 70-75% of the AAP supporters. People are with AAP when they demand complete control of police. But when news start appearing regarding the alleged "vigilantism" by a minister, the questions arise whether are they really different. A systematic fight with the reluctant central government to gain Delhi police control over a longer period of time would be a better strategy.
Media strategy
AAP is a media creation, but the past few weeks have been a PR disaster for the party. Some selfish people are coming out of their shell ( for a ministerial berth, LS ticket??) and some to gain political mileage(Tina Sharma ...ex-BJP, wanting LS ticket). Such "members" are openly defaming AAP without using a proper grievance channel within the party. Arvind, who is known to be a hard taskmaster needs to take this issue at hand, and prevent every Tom, Dick and Harry whos a recently joined "member"(eg. Captain Gopinath, Mallika Sarabhai) defame the party on natonal platforms.
AAP is a media creation, but the past few weeks have been a PR disaster for the party. Some selfish people are coming out of their shell ( for a ministerial berth, LS ticket??) and some to gain political mileage(Tina Sharma ...ex-BJP, wanting LS ticket). Such "members" are openly defaming AAP without using a proper grievance channel within the party. Arvind, who is known to be a hard taskmaster needs to take this issue at hand, and prevent every Tom, Dick and Harry whos a recently joined "member"(eg. Captain Gopinath, Mallika Sarabhai) defame the party on natonal platforms.
Saying that, the (paid) media seems to have a special hatred reserved for AAP, the AAP needs to reduce its closeness with the media to a certain extent as the media is a double edged sword. Some media house who have investors from the Congress and BJP will go all-out because AAP has a huge potential.
Action plan
The only way AAP can convince voters nationally is by taking some rock-solid decisions like the anti-curroption helpline, free 700 ltr water, power bill redction. This is what is expected from the AAP, they have started with a gud determination to do work and that determination needs to be maintained. The passage of the Janlokpal for Delhi by the AAP govt, is the next decision they must focus on.
Conclusion
It is the action, the determination and no-nonsense attitude which has encouraged millions to leave their jobs and business to do something for their country by joining AAP. The party must be aware of grand-standing in the future and from people who want to utilise it for personal means. The part has been blessed with two sane and brilliant minds of Arvind Kejriwal and Yogendra Yadav. No other party has the fortune of two such brilliant leaders at its forefront. With proper strategy and execution, AAP can turn the tide in its favour and make a mark nationally.
(P.s: Disclosur: The author is an AAP supporter, and as a well-wisher has expressed his views)
