This was the obvious comparison
to be drawn and it was drawn by many. High on symbolism, Arvind Kejriwal took
the Delhi Metro to the venue of his swearing-in ceremony, the Ramlila Ground.
There were placards showing the movie ‘Nayak’ poster with Anil Kapoor, the
protagonist, an unwilling political reformer and the transcendental chief minister
of Maharashtra and Amrish Puri, the anti- to the protagonist, symbolizing
everything bad in Indian politics.
Elevation of the Aam Aadmi Party
and Arvind Kejriwal into the mainstream of Indian politics is being compared
with many symbolisms and let’s don’t think long term, let’s don’t’ analyse the ‘ifs
and buts’, let’s just enjoy the high point of these symbolisms only.
Yes, let’s enjoy the high points
of these symbolisms as reflective of the misery of the incumbent political lot,
the so-called mainstream political parties and politicians who have become
synonymous with everything negative in the method of the sociopolitical
science; who have become the fountainheads of corruption in the Indian society.
I liked the movie Nayak, for its
strong anti-establishment symbolism, leading to the radically fundamental ways
the politics being practiced was changed.
Crushed by the atrocities of the dominating
political lot, most of the Indians are a frustrated lot who think about but don’t
see solutions reaching out to them, to the society, and such imagination of
imagery, as portrayed in the movie, appeals to the senses, to the suppressed
sensitivities from the oppression of the political lot.
So, it was good to see someone
defying them, slapping them in the face.
It was good to see that even if
the mainstream politicians were using harsh language, abusive words and were
scoffing at AAP and Kejriwal (as shown in sting operation of a news channel),
they had no option but to support the AAP government unconditionally, even if
AAP was threatening to probe and jail the corrupt ministers of the previous Congress
government.
It was good to see the bureaucrats
of the Delhi Secretariat destroying the files that could expose their splurging
on public money fearing the wrath of the AAP government.
It was good to hear that
politicians and bureaucrats of the Delhi government would not use red beacons
on their vehicles.
It was so good to know that
ministers of AAP would not accept the sprawling bungalows. They, including Kejriwal,
have demanded flats as their official accommodation. Even if it is a conscious political
branding exercise by AAP, think of the misery of those politicians more than
eager to inhabit such palatial houses in the heart of Delhi. What would they do
in future if it establishes a successful trend?
(Think of the misery of the sophisticated
bureaucrats and the mainstream politicians used to a lifestyle of ‘excessive’ excesses).
It was good see the power
distribution companies in Delhi not demanding a power tariff hike even if they
presented a deficit account in their annual review.
It was good to see the Delhi
Police talking like common men while dealing with common men.
And it was good to see the
ministers wearing the everyday stuff while taking oath.
Many other symbolisms can be
added to the list. Some will exit. Some will make it to the list as the time
rolls on.
Yes, valid doubts about AAP
remain, but let’s enjoy the symbolism of these symbolisms, if not for AAP, then
for making life miserable and troublesome for elitist and corrupt politicians
and bureaucrats.