The AAP episode aka Rise of the AAPTARDS aka Anti-corruption wonder drug researchers

So the latest tweets from Chetan Bhagat claim that Congress is surging back with some positive response on Social media to compete with the BJP who have now somewhat becomes ‘favorites'(Juggernaut alert). So what has changed? Have the people woken up and understood NaMo is just a little more than a hyped-up, regular, run-of-the-mill politician? Or is AAP really turning the tide here? Well I dont know. That is a job for Socio-political scientists

But considering the impact that AAP has had on this episode, I am calling this the AAP episode.

Background: I am not much into politics. I am a regular guy. The last PM I liked was AB Vajpayee , the last president I liked was APJ Kalam, the last heroine I drooled liked was …ok I lost count there. Moving on, the last time I woke up was today morning. That should give a decent idea of who I am. I am the usual,daily working, heavy talking, lean, teetotal ling dude. I am known as ‘Mama’ to guys around me. No, I am not actually a Mama.

So AAP won at Delhi. I mean they didnt win, they took ‘outside‘ support from Congress and formed a Govt. They brought the whole thing down after they understood that the Lokpal bill isin’t going through. Now Delhi might need another election and I need another coffee. Hold on. First things first

1. AAP have some good candidates on their portfolio

2. They were expected to be the refreshing change that we always wanted

3. Kejriwal was seen as an icon and the first common man to defeat the system(OMG I went a little Rahul Gandhi there)

4. AAP’s pre-election agenda was that they will resign if they do not get the lokpal bill passed, they followed it

5. The Anarchist approach of Kejriwal was quite new and made us feel a change is already underway

But then…

1. AAP took the people’s choice in forming the Govt., the fall however was swift and ungainly. People werent considered this time

2. AAP promised to follow and defeat Sheila Dixit, which the congress clearly showed was a poor battle plan by moving her to a another role down south

3. AAP now is going all through India in hopes of contesting the lok sabha elections against Congress and BJP(!!)

4. Kejriwal and the rest of the team are slowly showing cracks in their crystal-image

5. AAP is now targetting BJP and Modi who are now ‘favourites’ to win this election, instead of the ruling Congress.

Hmmm. I supported AAP when they contested in Delhi. I was not happy when they gave up power right before the central elections and chose to contest at national level. I am guessing I am not alone. It made no sense to throw away power and position when you have a chance to do something. 5 years is a very small period in a nation’s history. There was a lot to prove and a lot at stake. AAP did not prove anything worthwhile to the people before stepping down. We need a leader, not an anarchist. Leaders and heroes are born when they stand against the rulers and dont mind dying for what they believe in. Given power, they are expected to fight for the people. Not for power. MORE power.

Had AAP made a difference, however small, they would be backed heavily in the coming elections. 5 years again is a good time to spread your philosophy through a major part of the country and consolidate your standing. Now that is strategy. That is how you serve the ‘common man’.

So now, what is AAP upto? They know in all their infinite wisdom that they are never going to come out as the single largest majority. Statistically a great number of territories are bound to vote based on caste, religion, status, origin, dynasty and language. There is no way by which AAP is going to sweep through the country and win this election. That happens in fairy tales and Shankar movies. The best that AAP can do now is split the votes in constituencies and at the centre.

So lets think we do belive in Kejriwal and vote. They are nominating close to ~ 265 candidates. The best they can work up is maybe 100. They might not even win in Delhi another time, as they are diluting their strengths.

So Kejriwal and the newly-risen(pardon my derogatory usage) ‘AAPTARDs’, please don’t bring Congress back. I dont want to tell my kids that Rahul Gandhi was once my Prime minister.