There are a lot of politically charged statements that are and will float around to plant seeds of doubts regarding AAP amongst the people who want a change in status quo.
The same set of statements were doing the rounds when AAP decided to focus only on Delhi. One of them that is specifically relevant to quote is…
“Arvind Kejriwal, in pursuit of his personal ambition to become CM of Delhi, has hijacked a revolutionary movement that united all Indians to sweep corruption from the entire nation.” – Narender Modi
Clearly, those making this statement wanted to tell the gullible voter that AAP’s foray should’ve been national and not just within any state (sheepishly smirking at the impossibility of the challenge).
Today, we are seeing AAP doing just that. And now, the same politickers are coming up with a new/same set of lies viz-a-viz
1. They are Congress’ B-Team, will cut anti-incumbency votes & ultimately lead to UPA-3 - This one is deja-vu of delhi’s elections! Moreover, the sudden rise in visibility of AAP in electronic and print media makes many BJP supporters believe that its Congress' ploy to use AAP to stop BJP led NDA to come to power in 2014.
What could also be inferred that paid media channels, something which is only a reality in India, are out there to prove their importance in impacting the LS elections outcome to the big national parties only to re-negotiate the amount of money they would charge to block all the good done by AAP and to provide a total negative clout to it!!! If in the weeks running up to elections, you see AAP's complete blackout from media or excessing negative news, you'd know, rest assured. its the only A-team for the people of this country.
2. They are socialists, and will make Indian economy collapse – People in all capitalist developed countries, on paying taxes, expect good roads, security, guaranteed water, cleanliness, sanitation, affordable education and health services as their right and not a privilege that requires extra funds to be paid. Finally we’ve a party in AAP that understands its responsibility towards the same…but they are been dubbed as ‘Leftists’ by those who failed to meet this.
Yes, power rates have been subsidised, but AK himself has said that these are short term reliefs (call it obligations of a minority govt. to win confidence that it is capable of delivering), and final decision will be taken once audit of discoms is complete by Apr'14. Similarly, it is alleged that providing 20 kL free water to domestic users is a financial suicide. Firstly, it only translates to Rs 400 cr loss of annual revenue for DJB, which being a No Profit No Loss govt. firm, should have already taken this step as by 2012, it made a profit of Rs 480 cr, which instead of giving benefit to people was used to distribute to international companies for carrying out operations on behalf of DJB without any transparent grant of tender and at absurdly high prices. Expert NGOs consulting AAP believe that even after providing free water to domestic users, DJB can still stay in profit by clamping down corruption and lowering its operational cost. Now, if only one believes that govt. run DJB is a sanctum organization with highest quality of operational standards followed worldwide, then their argument of DJB bleeding money due to 20 kL of free water could be taken at face value.
3. They are separatists, and will hand over Kashmir to Pakistan – firstly, on a personal note, ‘Secession’ is an absurd devaluation of the word ‘Referendum’. It's like interpreting your partner's "I want to talk" as "I want a divorce". Secondly, such a possibility has been categorically denied…but repetition is what keeps the Polluticians chances alive.
4. They are newbies and their inexperience will cost the country irreparable damage - As if the country hasn’t suffered enough damage under the experienced UPA’s regime and equally experienced NDA’s opposition. Still, the newbies have shown more capabilities in running a fair and transparent election campaign against all odds that any incumbent party could match in another 50 yrs. This gives me the confidence that they will run a govt. with equal capability and more responsibility – just like Sachin’s inns in the Sydney Test Match in 1991 assured every sane person out there that they’re watching a champion in the making.
5. The suddenly 'enlightened' new/old 'insiders' - Be it PAC member, Binny or new joiners like Capt. Gopinath, Mallika Sarabhai or Tina Sharma...a slew of 'insiders' have started to see problems with AAP and its way of working. and are amusingly advising AAP to refrain from contesting LS elections and deliver in Delhi first. Capt. Gopinath's criticism of rolling back FDI in Delhi calls the bluff of these new joiners as he must've been aware of the same thru the Party's manifesto well before he decided to join the party for doing "a service to the nation". Similarly, Binny's charges of Party drifting away from its promises talks of vested interests since anyone can pick up the manifesto and see what work has been initiated outside of its realm.
6. They took Congress' support to form govt. in Delhi because they are power hungry - The onus for same lies on the electorate. They should have either given a clear mandate to AAP or have opted for re-elections during referendum. Its insanity to expect AAP to form a minority govt without Congress' support in the lack of both of the factors.
7. They are anarchists, inexperienced, vigilante, hooligans - This is like believing in the existence of an under-sea world called Atlantis. Yes, they are all of them not for the people of this country but for the corrupt officials in Delhi Police, DJB, Discoms, Govt. Schools and hospitals. These officials weren't used to of taking orders from civil class...so its an unpleasant change they need to get used to.
8. They are US agents – This is like believing in the existence of an under-sea world called Atlantis.
This is just the starting. From January end, BJP has planned to launch a massive anti-AAP drive all across India. Interestingly, groused PAC member Mr. Binny has also declared to sit on a hunger strike from 27th Jan. Is it only me who is anticipating a handshake with BJP? One may expect many more controversies to emerge...due to political compulsions of incumbent parties, since AAP's agenda of anti-corruption hits directly at their roots.
The onus lies on individuals to choose whether they want to really change the face of the nation with a new force ‘of the civil society’ that is committed ‘to the people's good’ instead of being obligated to vested interests, or they want to persist with same old feudal politics, where sinners become saints once every 5 years.
While choosing, think only what you believe is right, and not what everybody else thinks is right. If maximum people do this, rest all will fall in place.
Whatever be your choice…it has to be exercised in 2014 only and persisted with from thereon.
