After Arvind Kejriwal was announced the Chief Minister of Delhi, Gulf News readers wrote in a number of letters to share their opinion (‘Indian expats feel the Kejriwal effect,’ Gulf News, January 3). Most readers were happy and believe that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has changed the canvas of Indian politics for the better. However, some readers are doubtful about AAP’s goals in the long term.
Empowering the common man
The mainstream parties never addressed the real issues and had their own model of social engineering to garner votes. For decades the voters have been carried away by their own loyalties to these parties, even though the primary concerns about basic amenities and good governance were completely neglected. This status could not have gone on forever and ought to have changed. Arvind Kejriwal made it possible. His earlier success, the Right to Information Act (RTI) empowered many hapless Indians like me who otherwise moved from pillar to posts to address minor hurdles they faced in their struggle for survival.
From Mr M. J.
Al Ain
Website comment
Full name withheld by request
It’s temporary
The flurry of action that is seen in Delhi seem in utter haste and unmindful of consequences and cost implications. The measures announced are merely measures. The real challenge lies in implementing these measures. Whatever Kejriwal has done so far does not make any economic sense. These are populist measures which are usually resorted to just before elections. I therefore think, Kejriwal knows his days as CM are numbered and when congress withdraws its support, he can go the electorate saying I have done what I promised but congress did not allow us to complete the job. Kejriwal effect is temporary and will not have a major impact in other states as their presence is minimal. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is a party lacks sound economic policies. Their agenda is short term and that is not going to make a sustainable difference to the state.
From Mr Ganeshan Srinivasan
UAE
Indian revolution
I would like to share my view about the political revolution being initiated by AAP. Kejriwal has bought a fresh and rational perspective in the Indian politics that has helped boost the confidence of Indian civilians. All of us are excited to be a part of this evolution. We wish the AAP expands their scope to other states including Mumbai. We wish AAP All the best luck and success in achieving its goals.
From Mr Sumedh Ganpate
UAE
A big change
The AAP has changed the political canvass in India. It finally looks like non corrupt individuals are beginning to join politics. The most recent example is of V. Balakrishnan, ex-Infosys board member who successfully joined the AAP. Certainly politics in India needs a clean up. AAP has started this clean up process. I am sure the party will set new bench marks for the public of India.
From Mr Vivek Saxena
UAE
Hanging on the cliff
The AAP leaders feel like they are on a life support system. They know that Congress can withdraw its support anytime and then Delhi will be haunted for another election. Arvind Kejriwal and his team of social activists-turned-politicians must understand that they have travelled too far in a very short time. They must believe that they cannot be held back by any party now. All eyes are on AAP government as they are working day in and day out to publicise their might for the launch of the campaign for the General Elections 2014. Opposition parties claim that the populist announcements by Kejriwal like free water and 50 per cent cut in electricity bills to the residents of Delhi are going to fail. They say that the state treasury will be emptied within no time. They do not dare to reduce the personal expenses made by their ministers that burden the exchequer heavily. They fail to understand that the government has to look only for the welfare of the people and not just the politicians and industrialists. I request Kejriwal to please audit the expenses of the ministers to find out how much money is diverted from government funds that could have been used to fund these populist schemes. One can then counter the claims of elite and rich politicians who become saviour of the people only when the elections are announced. Finally, I warn the AAP leaders to be alert against the harmful tactics of the hidden power that is famous to eliminate those who fight for the common man. In the 19th and 20th century, Indian national movement spread due to the launch of newspapers, railways, postal and telegraph system. Today, once again there is a spread of nationalist feeling due to the presence of internet. The hardworking youth has come together to show the rusted class of the present day politicians that the electorate wants business. It cannot be fooled by handful of leaders who have a misunderstanding that the country can be ruled by them forever. My best wishes to AAP leadership for the New Year 2014 and the Lok Sabha elections.
From Mr Rakesh Verma
Doha, Qatar
BJP’s communalism
The rise of AAP is a good trend. It has exposed the fake idealism of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP with its mascot Narendra Modi was harping on corruption and development but they did not utter a single promising word as to how they will develop the country’s economic policy. All Modi does is indulge in cheap name calling like a fifth grade student. Such immaturity is what India does not deserve. AAP on the other hand are mature professionals. Look at their functioning. If you transfer money to their fund, they give you a receipt right away. Once they collected their target amount they asked people not to send any more. Who does this in India? Would Modi ever do this? Just watch Kejriwal’s speeches they are always simple and straight forward. In one of his recent speeches a BJP member was making stupid remarks on Kejriwal’s family. What does this show? They have taken the steam out of the Modi campaign. Now Modi and BJP will go back to doing what they do best- spreading communalism. That is their bread and butter. The only way they can win elections.
From Mr Ali
Dubai
Website comment
Congress’s purpose
AAP is the proxy of Congress party. It’s standing tall only because Congress has given them their unconditional support even without Kejriwal asking for it. Kejriwal can govern Delhi even though the people of Delhi chose BJP as the single largest party. In all other states BJP swept the floor. Congresses only objective to promote AAP is to counter Modi, who has huge support from the top to the bottom of India.
From Mr Suresh
Dubai
Website comment
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