Kejriwal’s focus misplaced! - An article
by Col RD Singh
15 October 2012 September, 2012
Pictures and Videos: Amar Singh
Jyani, GS Mann
Of course, Kejriwal has created a sensation by
attacking Sonia Gandhi and exposing Robert Vadra for amassing easy
property through the benevolence of DLF.
He has touched where it hurts most. The Congress party is ill at ease to
guard Vadra and his sudden meteoric rise in his business venture. He seems to
have had an easy way to real estate by virtue of being the son-in-law of the
first family. So far, no one dared to
point a finger at Priyanka or her husband. The opposition parties were looking
for juicy news about them all these years, but none came. Even Priyanka’s villa
near Shimla (made and re made) was not highlighted. But, Kejriwal has done it,
and the media is lapping it up. So far, so good. But is that what the new party of Kejriwal
will survive on – attack individuals and hate Congress politics? It will be similar to Pakistani politicians sustaining
on hate India attitude, and claim J& K.
This is a negative and weak foundation for the rise of any nation or a
new political party, for that matter.
Kejriwal and
his team have pitched the aim of their
new political party ( yet to be named) “
to change the nature of politics” rather than winning elections. I think it is
a non starter. The instruments of change in political agenda do not lie in
attacking big wigs for corruption. For a
new political party to succeed, even to make a difference in the thinking of
people, it is the masses who matter. Will masses support Kejriwal or vote for
the old party candidates in the forthcoming elections, is the moot point. In politics, you are counted only if you get
votes. If Kejriwal fails to win an
election, then all his big talk will come to a naught. Because, it is the
elected members in the Parliament who
govern the country in a democracy. In
case, Kejriwal wanted to only fight corruption without winning elections, then
he should have stayed with Anna. It is not easy to combine a social movement
with politics. It does not work that way in a heterogeneous country like ours
where caste based politics dominates. 70 percent of the voters are very poor,
and do not survive on moral lectures. Honesty and competence do not mean much
to them. They may gather in thousands, as crowds, at the Ramlila Maidan, and
shout slogans ( as you direct them), but when it comes to voting, it is a
different scene all together. They want money and favours from the
candidates. So, when elections come, the
politicians feed them with both. How will Kejriwal face this challenge? He can
do neither.
Now that Kejriwal has taken a leap into active
politics, he has to learn the game. You can change the national politics only
if you are in power, or at least in the Parliament and state assemblies, in good numbers. He
should look at the regional parties like the SP, BSP, INLD etc and analyse the
mechanics of their functioning. Then, make a realistic strategy, and take
support from other parties. He cannot fight in isolation, not in politics, may
be as a social crusader.
So, If Kejriwal
wants his party to succeed, and make a difference, then winning elections is a
must. He should focus his energies and
go all out to win as many seats as possible in the Delhi assembly in
2013, and 2014 general elections. Then
only, he can influence the quality of
national politics, and have a say in law making, including the
Lokpal Bill.
Colonel R D Singh ( retd)
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