What If?
What if
the BJP actually declines to form a government? The BJP and Congress maybe
covert friends, but they are overt enemies and how this situation plays out
will be an indication of what their true intent is. Besides the adage the enemy
of my enemy is my friend. And if they do join hands, they can be resolute to
make sure the AAP is shut out and that won’t bode well for the AAP. But then, what
if the BJP, Congress and its Allies (C&A) don’t get together in forming a
government? Is a new election the ONLY recourse? The BJP’s intent is to pour
more money into the next election to gain power. That is a given. So what is an
alternative recourse?
This is a
game of chess and the ensuing strategy should explore all aspects of the game.
There is a time to uphold principles, but one also has to be pragmatic and
serve the people.
Here is a
scenario that maybe worth considering. Let us start with the primary objectives
and priorities of the AAP.
- Pass the Lokpal Bill.
- Transform the way politics
has been conducted. Introduce policies that will tackle corruption,
increase transparency and governance.
- Address the water and
electricity issue by making it available and affordable to all.
- Make affordable housing
available to the poor.
- Implement the Manifesto of each
constituency.
The above
are FIVE objectives. They can be tweaked to reflect whatever the AAP wishes,
but it is important to keep it to FIVE, so that everyone and anyone can roll it
off their tongues even when woken up from their sleep.
Now if we
cast this as the “High Moral Ground” and implementing the above is of the
greatest priority, then how about exploring ways in which it can be
implemented?
Arvind
Kejriwak has said it would be a joke if the AAP were to seek the cooperation of
the Congress and its allies. Serving the
people is no joke and if the objectives of the AAP were to be accomplished
with unconditional support from Congress and its Allies (C&A) from the
outside, then the WILL and desires of the people will be served.
What if
the Congress AND its allies (C&A) were to support the AAP unconditionally,
unfettered and unilaterally from the outside with the following guidelines:
- They will support the passage
of the Lokpal Bill and cooperate with the AAP in dispensing with the above
objectives and priorities.
- Together the AAP and C&A
will define a Common Minimum Program (CMP) that both will work towards
implementing throughout
- They will cooperate in
implementing each party’s manifesto in each constituency as long as it is
for the common good of Dilli
- The elected C&A MLAs will
have no expectations in obtaining posts and assignments that the AAP
appoints as part of the formation of the government.
- An iron clad agreement is
signed by ALL the C&A MLAs that they will provide this outside support
for the full term, as long as the AAP adheres to the agreement forged
between the C&A MLAs. This has to be a Legal Document that is made
public.
- That the agreement is committed
to, signed and agreed to by the respective C&A High Command – Sonia Gandhi,
Rahul Gandhi and CWG for Congress, appropriate individuals and bodies of
the Congress Allies.
- Doing so will demonstrate
that the C&A is serious about reforming itself and this would be an
opportunity to demonstrate that.
Add
whatever conditions and caveats needed to make sure we can move ahead, and let the train of change gather speed
rather than stopping it in its tracks.
