Thinking AK

Arvind Kejriwal (AK) has come up as an important force in Indian politics. Only time will tell whether he will indeed be a force for good. For now, we should give him an opportunity to prove himself. My take on key issues concerning AK:

Water and Electricity Subsidies: Unfortunately, subsidies have become an integral part of Indian politics. Every political party indulges in this game to win votes. AAP has just followed the game and it has paid dividends. However, it doesn’t make it a right, well-thought decision. As a commentator said, if Narendra Modi (NaMo) did this, he would first focus on getting the pipelines and setting up power plants before making such promises. As seen in Gujrat, people are willing to pay if they can get 24x7 access to basic amenities. Instead of trying to solve the problem, AAP simply cashed on it like any other opportunistic political party. This can be condoned if they change course and address the actual problem now when they are in power. We will have to wait and watch.

Corruption: In the next few months AAP should follow-on its promise of making life difficult for the corrupt, irrespective of their status. It should not appear that they are giving Congress any leeway or it will damage their reputation. Targeting big-shots will go a long way in establishing their credibility. This is their true advantage over any political party and they would do well to not let it slip away. Again, we will have to wait and watch.

Economics: Given that it was market liberalization that has given India its current level of prosperity, left leaning instincts of AAP do worry me. If they can find a balance between populism and effective economic policy, only then can they provide India with a long-term solution. Again, here NaMo’s development model and willingness to put development first gives comfort. NaMo is the only politician who seriously talks about development and economic reforms as priority one. AK may as well learn from it and display it during his term as the CM.

AK for PM: AK has made a brilliant debut and only a fool will question his skills in mobilizing people and oration. However, it may be prudent to first let him prove his mettle as the CM before saying that he will be a good PM. He is an unknown quantity. Even though I am sure he will be better than Congress or Third-Front, I am not convinced as of now that he will be better than NaMo. Talk is cheap and we can argue endlessly, but the fact of the matter is that he does not have a track record as far as administration and economics is concerned. Let him show what he can do in Delhi and only then it would make sense to consider him capable enough to handle the responsibility of the PM.