AAP should step up and form a government if given the opportunity

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.

1. Pass the Lokpal Bill.
2. Transform the way politics has been conducted. Introduce policies that will tackle corruption, increase transparency and governance.
3. Address the water and electricity issue by making it available and affordable to all.
4. Make affordable housing available to the poor.
5. 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:

1. They will support the passage of the Lokpal Bill and cooperate with the AAP in dispensing with the above objectives and priorities.
2. Together the AAP and C&A will define a Common Minimum Program (CMP) that both will work towards implementing throughout Delhi, even in constituencies represented by the BJP and others.
3. They will cooperate in implementing each party’s manifesto in each constituency as long as it is for the common good of Dilli
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.