AAP: saga of dissent, separation

The party believes in changing the way politics is conducted but its leaders seem to be trapped in present.

Crisis, dissent and factionalism are nothing new to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The inception itself was a saga of dissent and separation. Always, Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP were on the upswing when crisis descended on them and they emerged unscathed at the climax.

This time, the pitch has changed radically with the series of electoral drubbings inside and outside Delhi. The AAP just faced an acid test during a down-swing for the first time. The crisis has blown over but questions still remain whether it is peace forever.

The latest challenge came from party leader Kumar Vishwas, who reminded Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal that the germination of the anti-corruption movement happened at his home when Manish Sisodia was also present. The troika were seen inseparable as they stood shoulder-to-shoulder in times of crises but now huge fissures have been thrown open.

The recent crisis is about Vishwas losing the clout in the party. He was close to Kejriwal who later drifted away from him and gave his ears more to his detractors like Sanjay Singh. The white flags are out for now with Vishwas getting more prominence and the leadership massaging his ego by suspending his fierce critic Aman­atullah Khan, MLA. The truce maybe a happy note for the party, which is at its lowest ebb.

Kejriwal has never shied away from his beliefs and took on his opponents within his group and outside. He had no hesitation in breaking ranks with Anna Hazare with whom he launched an anti-corruption movement that led to the delegitimisation of the UPA-II in the eyes of citizens.

In his march to turn political and formally announce the formation of the AAP on November 26, 2012, Kejriwal had got the support of a majority in the anti-corruption movement. Hazare and his supporters’ efforts to resurrect him did not materialise, as Delhiites were mesmerised by Kejriwal.

He won the hearts of the cadre in Delhi, the nucleus of the movement. One should not forget that the 2015 win came after the Lok Sabha poll drubbing. Even a Modi wave elsewhere could not touch Kejriwal or the AAP then.

In between, people like Kiran Bedi, Swami Agnivesh and yoga guru Ramdev had joined the anti-graft movement and left after some time. Kejriwal and his group were always on the top in times of crises and managed a coup when they outwitted Hazare’s “apolitical” camp. His close group of Sisodia, Vishwas, Prashant Bhush­an, Yogendra Yadav and the ba­ckroom boys stood like a rock.

Syle of functioning
Though there were murmurs over his style of functioning, most people stuck to the AAP during the 2013 and 2015 polls. However, the run-up to the 2015 Assembly polls changed the dynamics within the party.

Bhushan and Yadav revolted over the choice of candidates, saying unreliable elements were chosen and that Kejriwal was only looking for a victory. They kept quiet during the campaigning but after the results, the rebellion found its decibel level on the higher side. Kejriwal managed to quell this one too with the help of his trusted aides.

Bhushan and Yadav were expelled while some felt that Kejriwal had no friends and anybody could be thrown out once their utility was over. He was invincible then but the atmosphere changed in just two years. He was just out after a thumping victory and in a honeymoon period in government.

Expulsion of intellectual powerhouses from the party did not matter then. But times have changed as nothing remains static in politics. Kejriwal and the AAP have now become vulnerable as the new crisis has hit them. Kejriwal’s late night visit to Vishwas’ residence to placate him would be an indicator to this.

To predict a point of no return in politics might be the biggest foolishness for anyone. True, the AAP is hurt. But to say it is finished would be too early. India has its examples of return from wilderness by politicians and parties. If one has to rephrase A B Vajpayee, AAP maybe tired but it has not retired or out from the game yet. It is still in the game but it may lose it badly if it does not change.

Most of the problems in the party are self-inflicted — from ambitions of the leaders to the inability to stand up for the change they desire. Even the latest truce would raise questions on why action was taken against only the MLA when Vishwas, too, defied the leadership by talking to the media. Vishwas’ detractors may lie low now but as in the politics witnessed in India, they are just waiting for an opportunity to get back at him.

The party believes in changing the way politics is conducted but leaders still appear to be trapped in the existing style of political functioning. The AAP has not escaped the usual trappings of palace intrigues, coterie, factionalism and one-upmanship.

One would miss inner-party democracy, consensus and transparency in decision-making process in the AAP, too. That remains a problem for many who still want unadulterated idealism in political activity and got aligned with the AAP.