Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Will AAP win Punjab?' that was published in Newsband

Will AAP win Punjab?

Arvind Kejriwal was sworn in as Chief Minister of Delhi in 2013. Kejriwal saw himself as rivalling Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi, fighting corruption and communalism. The AAP’s bid for power in Punjab is more an extension of its plan of action in Delhi.  

In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, AAP did poorly outside Delhi, Punjab and Chandigarh. The party won all its four seats from Punjab; the decision to focus on these core support areas, instead of spreading itself thin, thus made sense. In Punjab, the AAP could position itself as an alternative to both the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Congress. The agrarian crisis, the drug mafia, jobs and development issues are in the forefront of the AAP’s campaign. AAP needs to groom a regional leader in Punjab. Punjab might be important for the AAP’s national goals.

In the earlier years of establishment of AAP, It was found that their leaders were working sparkly on various issues like, agrarian crisis, drug mafia, jobs and development. But, day by day their unity became weaker. One leader blamed other leader within the party. But, now after getting support from Panjab they have united once again.

Citizens of Punjab have always had a choice between a highly corrupt, dynastic local party, and another highly corrupt local party – acting as a vassal of a (dynastic) monarchy. This time they have a third choice – a party which has brought about some change in every legacy party of India by reawakening the dormant values in Indians, even though its efforts to govern/deliver are constantly thwarted by centrally controlled agencies.

It takes time to bring about change in governance, but no one can reach their destination without making a start. Only the citizens of Punjab can improve their state – by voting for progress – not the same old plunder/corruption.

Much of Indian media is orthodox. They are fine with long-standing parties, but are wary of any new party. Legacy parties are heavily funded by vested interests, and the Indian media is not too shy to act as a party propaganda machine. If Indian democracy is to survive, and corrupt Indian polity is to be persuaded to mend its plundering ways, then India must have new parties and voters must support them to change India.