JOIN USThe Aam Aadmi Party has finally taken a decision to form a government in Delhi. It was not an easy decision for the party to even theoretically accept the support of the Congress, which would actually not be interested in the stability or good performance of its government. There was also the question of propriety because the Congress was its rival in the elections.
Before the elections it had ruled out any alliance with either the Congress or the BJP and had sarcastically commented that these two parties could come together to form a government if there was no clear outcome. After the elections when both parties offered support the AAP rightly said that it could accept it only if they gave an assurance to support it in fulfilling the promises it had made to the people. They however failed to give a carte blanche.
The AAP adopted an unconventional method to resolve its dilemma by going directly to the people. The viability of an informal referendum in other situations or on a larger scale to take decisions on major issues may be open to question. But the desire and attempt of a party to go directly to the people to elicit their views cannot basically be faulted.
Since an overwhelming majority of the people who responded, according to the party, has favoured formation of a government, it has given legitimacy to its decision. The BJP has termed it as a betrayal of the people. But the situation would not have been different if the AAP had accepted the support which the BJP also had offered.
The challenge before the government to be formed by Arvind Kejriwal is to practise the principles it has laid down for itself, fulfil the promises it has made and to live up to the expectations it has aroused. As a party which has wanted to change the system, it will not be able to blame the system for its failures. It made an impressive transformation from a group of well-meaning individuals to a party at the doors of power in a short period. It is a heartening experiment for the country and the party will be on test in the coming days. The Congress has also made a political gamble by deciding to support the AAP government. It may find it difficult to withdraw support for a government which enjoys the goodwill of the people even if its actions hurt the Congress party.