Disruption in Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Setback to the party and Nation both

In the interests of one and all ...

My dear countrymen!

As usually happens, In emergency or challenging situations, people often get together and unitedly fight for the desired missions. And with the accomplishment of a job, comes contentment, at the same time discontentment also arises among stakeholders over some minor issues, rather enjoying at their successes and seriously working on next targets together happily. And this unpleasant practice is still continuing without break, very commonly noticed everywhere beginning from every home to all working Places to our societies to the nations and the world.

They often forget the earlier trying situations, how after hectic struggles they have been able to realise their aspirations. They should, instead of collectively merrymaking over their achievements, started fighting among themselves. This is what exactly happened in Aam Aadmi Party, (AAP) too on its second term to power in 2015.

After resounding victory and taking over charge of Delhi as CM, Arvind Kejriwal and its AAP must devote its strength and positive energy towards charting out plans in National interests with the help of top experts in various fields, who, from all over the world had joined the party with great sacrifice in their missionary and patriotic zeal to serve the nation. On the contrary, people were shocked to see the Unbecoming developments when core members of the team were parting ways with the party one by one.

Major rifts in party came to surface immediately after Arvind Kejriwal returned with thumping majority and became the CM again in February’2015 when two prominent members of its core team namely, Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan communicated through their Joint letter to the National Executive members highlighting Arvind Kejriwal tendency of taking unilateral decisions, thus, clearly overlooking the party’s core principles of SWARAJ,(self-rule).

Though much differences were there since beginning before the 2014 general election when detail election strategies were being finalised. While Arvind Kejriwal wanted to play safe, fight on a limited number of seats, Prashant Bhushan was sure to win 400 plus seats and Yogendra Yadav was interested in Haryana and had the ambition to become its CM. In fact, relationships started deteriorating further just after the Delhi Assembly election and party’s debacle in the 2014 general election. Huge personality Shanti Bhushan, who donated one crore of rupees at the time AAP was desperately looking for the fund, had some doubts in Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership seeing unsatisfactory elections results. He wanted to try and replace Arvind Kejriwal with Kiran Bedi.

Situations turn uglier thereafter and Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan both were EXPELLED from the party for their alleged ANTI-PARTY activities during Delhi Assembly election in 2015. Though the duo expulsions were a tragic episode for the party, it can only be said very sadly that Arvind Kejriwal must have taken this decision with a heavy heart, having no alternative. In a nutshell, the duo could not be accommodated in his ( Arvind Kejriwal) scheme of things. Eventually, in April’2015, Anand Kumar and Ajit Jha, another core members also removed from the party. They were all accused of plotting to defeat party’s candidates in February’ 2015 election. By showing the exit doors to all anti-party founding members, he had automatically become the unquestionable authority.

With the exit of prominent members like Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan and others dissatisfaction and disruption already began in the party and dissenting voices against Arvind Kejriwal's autocratic behaviour started coming in from other places also. Party was divided into factions and core members became vocal and dirty game of allegations and counter-allegations started pouring in the party. Subsequently, KAPIL MISHRA was suspended on non- performance ground. He has very boldly alleged Arvind Kejriwal to be involved in corruption, for hiding donation amount to election Commission, wrongfully investment of laundered money in more than dozen shell companies and also shielding Sheila Dixit, former Delhi CM.

Maharashtra Chief of AAP, MAYANK GANDHI, one of the founding members of AAP in 2012 quit the party over his differences with Arvind Kejriwal. He is alleged to have said, AAP has become a party of “using and throwing”. There is nepotism in the party and lost the honesty plank on which it was basically founded and recently alleged to have said that AAP has sold Rajya Sabha tickets to business people.

Because KUMAR VISHWAS has been a distinct figure having clouts not only in party cadres but also goodwill of about 25 party’s MLAs to his side. He also had very good equations with most of the core party members who were leaving the party. He was at times vocal in their favour and recently went on to the extent of calling them ( Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan and the likes) back in the party. This perhaps is the only reason Arvind Kejriwal has not taken the risk of kicking him out yet but tactfully sidelined him despite his frequently open criticism of him on every available opportunity.

Above narrations clearly indicate that it was virtually the game of quick personal gains, power and indirectly capturing the party which perhaps was the bone of contention of some who are quitting or being forced to leave as Arvind Kejriwal has an eagle’s eye on every development in the party.

Of course, Arvind Kejriwal might be at fault to some extents, he should get along with all executive members and take all party’s decisions with consensus.

At the same time, it is also true someone has to lead like a commander to win the war. In the new party with the highest mission of acquiring National status with an introduction of the alternative form of governance demands a great deal of sacrifice, tolerance, friendliness and co-operation from everyone associated with AAP directly or indirectly.

Honourable Executive members must have kept in mind that AAP was an infant, just born yesterday and hence needs upbringing with utmost care. Also, seeing the complete picture it was expected of them to patronise and extend all possible help to leave irrelevant issues aside so that reaching to the larger goal becomes somewhat easy for a leader. They should have also anticipated multiple problems, genuine and created both in their way and accordingly prepared for the same. Because existing competitors would never like such challenges like AAP wherein everyone is ready to sacrifice in every possible manner just to witness the golden dawn in Indian Politics. Moreover, Arvind Kejriwal, too, is a Novice in politics and entered politics by default. Instead of sorting out every issue immediately, he should have given sufficient time and a free hand for the execution of their plans particularly when he is willing to shoulder all assigned responsibilities. 

It was when in the year 2013 Delhi Assembly election, he had already proved his mettle and had become the undisputed leader of the party by virtue of his succeeding to form the government, dethroning 3- term CM of Congress, Sheila Dixit. Though winning 28 seats out of 70 seats it was second to BJP having secured 31 seats, he formed the government with Congress support as BJP declined to form the government.

Even in a small family of 4-5 persons, there are differences of opinions but finally, they have to obey the decision of the head of the family in overall interests of every family member, failing which family neither run nor survive. Because Arvind Kejriwal has always been in driving seat and people were quite aware of this reality especially those who were seeing the Anna movement against corruption in public lives in Delhi right from the beginning. On perception it was obvious to all that he has been emerging as a natural leader and under his leadership party will progress leaps and bounds and with the rising responsibilities in the party, everyone will be suitably absorbed to its capabilities. With the spreading wings of the party, future of AAP and its cadres were bright and secured.

This is an undeniable fact that all have to adhere to the basic reality to follow the command of its leader. If everyone is blowing its own trumpet, forget about realising the objective but will have mayhem everywhere. It’s altogether a different matter how far core executive members of AAP are mentally prepared to accept this first necessity in order to survive, flourish and to achieve objectives in larger interests of common man and the nation.

If we look at past history from independence, we will find several examples where the longest inning was possible in the regime where some sort of discipline and single command were followed. Let us see some examples of CM and PM who ruled longer:

1. Existing PM, Mr Modi earlier served as CM of Gujarat 03 terms at a stretch.
2. Laloo and Rabri combined as CMs in Bihar
3. Jyotirindira Basu of CPI(M) reigned more than 23 years as CM in West Bengal.
4. Sheila Dixit ruled Delhi at a stretch of 3 full terms (15 years).
5. Virbhadra Singh, 23 yrs in Himachal Pradesh (HP).
6. Manik Sarkar, 19 yrs in Tripura.
7. Karunanidhi, 18 yrs in Tamilnadu.
8. Naveen Patnaik, 18 yrs in Odisha.
9. Prakash Singh Badal, 18 yrs, Punjab and many more are there to the list.
10. PM, Jawaharlal Nehru to Indira Gandhi to Rajiv Gandhi to Manmohan Singh etc Nehru- Gandhi family alone served more than 37 years.

Let us take some examples from our epics. All 100 Kaurava brothers follow the command of Duryodhan.

Same the case with Yudhisthira and Lord Ram. Not that the brothers had no differences among them but all of them remained obedient throughout.

Above examples show that without adhering to the principle of unity of command with discipline such longer reign could not have been possible. Very unfortunately, such norms not followed at all thus Disruptions took place in the party which was neither in the interests of people nor the nation.

Jai Hind.

Writer- Sinha.P.K. Views expressed are strictly personal. Feedback / Criticism welcome at Email -pkmsinha@gmail.com or follow @ pkmsinha.blogspot.in