Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'AAP lives up to its principles' that was published in Newsband

AAP lives up to its principles

The Aam Aadmi Party has refused to accept support from the major political parties, the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, to form the next government in Delhi. Thus AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal has shown himself to be a person of principles.

He has promised clean and principled politics and he is indeed living up to his promise. The fight against corruption was started by Anna Hazare and he was supported by Kejriwal. Team Anna crumbled in the face of the UPA Government’s intransigence on the Jan Lokpal Bill. It appeared that the movement had failed. But then Kejriwal made a fantastic move that of parting ways with Anna Hazare and leading the AAP. Kejriwal managed to change that moment of despair into one of hope.

The voters’ interest in the AAP was on account of its perceived idealism and hence it is important that the AAP sticks to its principled platform.

The AAP has said that it would sit in the opposition in the Delhi Assembly and not indulge in any “horse-trading” and it is indeed living up to its promise. Now Kejriwal should keep himself busy making strategies for the Lok Sabha election.

The people who voted for AAP are from that section of society which is fed up of corruption and extremism. Even those who support secularism expect AAP to achieve their dream.

Not budging from its principled stance of neither taking nor giving support to BJP or Congress, Kejriwal deserves our unequivocal appreciation and encomiums for this politically ethical as well as well thought out strategy vis a vis Delhi's hung assembly because many political experts are sure that if Delhi goes for a re-poll AAP may obtain a much larger mandate than its present 28 out of 70 seats and may be able to form a stable government on its own.

A full mandate was not given to AAP only because of those undecided fence sitters who gamble and place their bets on the likely winner, rather than on any principles. If the second ballot does not give AAP a clear mandate it will mean people do not want a clean government and are happy with the way things are. Then they should not complain.

It is clear that Kejriwal and his team are now focusing on expansion of AAP. Their main focus now is on 2014 Lok Sabha election. They would not like to disappoint their fans by budging from the principled stand.

Taking principled stand is welcome. But what about the cost of conducting another election? The constitution should be written in such away that, in case of hung assembly, an all-party government should be formed. Largest party will nominate a suitable CM or PM. The ministries can be proportionate to their seats.

Anyway, one thing is absolutely sure. AAP's principled stand will be appreciated by Indians while casting their votes during the next election.