On 05 March, 2014 AK entered Gujarat as planned and as
planned covertly by Modi and “his” administration, he was detained by police
and taken to police station but as would have been, they back tracked and released
him. Initially, they claimed that AK and his team were breaking the code of
conduct laid by the election commission, which was in vogue since 1200 hrs. But
again, the police said they did not detain him but only took him for his
security. In between, they also claimed that he was taken to police station to
save him or people from the traffic congestion! This was first blunder of Modi and his strategists!
Immediately, Delhi AAP called protest at BJP’s office and
seeing a massive turn out, BJP leaders along with their goons attacked AAP
volunteers with stones, chairs etc, and got some in retaliation! Second blunder!
After effects were also seen in Lucknow, Allahabad, Patna
etc but what is important is its political fallout!
BJP leaders in their hurry to show their militancy and
support to Modi, attacked AAP and called it Maoists, Naxals, anarchists and a party
which never believes in Constitution! This
is the 3rd blunder of Modi and his planners!
Few quotes here is necessary to see how much do BJP believes
in democracy and democratic institution!
Golwalkar in 1940 addressing RSS cadres said- RSS inspired
by one flag, one leader and one ideology is lighting the flame of Hindutva in
each and every corner of this land. (Collected works of Golwalkar, Vol 1, p 11,
Bhartiya Vichar Sadhana, ND). Incidentally “one flag, one leader and
one ideology” was battle cry of Nazis and Fascists in first half of 20th
century!
So, the RSS, Jan Sangh and later BJP, which was formed after
destroying 1974-77 revolution, has roots in not democracy but in dictatorship
and fascism.
BJP came to power by destroying Babar Masjid and later
riding over polarisation of 2002 riots. Now this party, incensed by Arvind
Kejriwal’s visit to Gujarat and the fear of being exposed; Modi’s lies on so
called development.
Where did Modi and his administration go wrong? In haste to
disrupt AK’s road show, they detained him but did not realise, it may backfire
and that too not only in Gujarat but in the entire country. Countering AAP further,
it not only attacked them in Delhi, but in Lucknow, Allahabad, Patna etc in
hope of intimidating the volunteers of a revolutionary party but failed. In
turn, AAP workers are infuriated and this anger will be channelized into
changing the system, rather blow it out in countering vandalism!
Here, I will like to analyse, the lull period of AAP, which
started after resignation of the Delhi government till recently, when party was
undergoing process of selection of candidates, strengthening the party
structure and formulating its strategy. The top leadership was busy in these
activities and media management, the lower and middle class workers felt
neglected. I would prefer to say, they were action less and idle. We
must remember, revolution does not wait for someone or some party to be led, it
goes into oblivion, if not used.
Another very important reason for this lull moment in AAP
volunteers was “lateral entry” of few, who not only hogged lime lights on media
etc but also were given preference as candidates and party leadership, and the
grass root workers were ignored. I am aware, this will be refuted by top
leaders but if one mingles AAP members at lower level offices like Nazafgarh,
Palam, South Delhi, etc and even out of Delhi, this feeling was evident.
This incidence of
Gujarat, galvanised the original volunteers of AAP along with new ones and that
can be seen not only in Delhi but elsewhere. This is where Modi and his
strategist failed and helped wave of AAP to rise once again!!
What next? There is hardly time for the election to start
and formulate any new strategy! Aap ki Kranti seems to be main journal of AAP
and is widely published but seems its circulation has dwindled. It’s not even
supplemented by pamphlets, which was most needed to keep AAP supporters united,
though they have many online web pages. Journals, legal
or illegal, had been back bone of any revolution. Yes, electronic social
media has replaced it somehow, but yet not only in rural but in urban India,
people do read these papers and attach big value to them. Still, in evening,
one can see on road side tea stalls, small gathering with few pages of newspaper
and discussing with great interest. These people follow the revolution and
ensure its victory.
Greater transparency, guidance, reach to remote areas,
nookad sabhas, door to door campaign had been strength of AAP and must be
pursued with vigour. Legal knowledge of election process, restrictions etc,
surprising is better known to the AAP cadres compared to those of Congress and
BJP as latter members do not hesitate in breaking the code of conduct regularly
but everyone is ready with magnifying glass to raise finger on emerging AAP!
I was not to make here, lessons for AAP but just to
enumerate few points which I found in continuation with 1974-77 rise and yet
different due rise of social media and other aspects of changing time!
Modi’s rise has
hit its worst speed breaker and BJP is fuming on AAP for destroying its dream
to capture central power and replace Congress as corporate’s favourite, be it
Indian or MNCs! Crucial time for Corporates, which though till now, have
failed to realise that AAP is not against capitalism but its side effects, like
inflation, unemployment, corruption. This last point is raised by the Leftist
and claim that AAP is only to purify Capitalism, but when it’s their turn, they
join Congress in name of keeping BJP out of power and even 3rd front
which is nothing but amalgam of equally opportunists and corrupts to share
power and loot! Left has lost their revolutionary ethos and are busy trying to
remain relevant.
Arvind Kejriwal entry into Gujarat is another master stroke,
which has unnerved Narendra Modi and his planners, and only time will tell,
that too very shortly, if they can recover the acceleration, which they had
managed on lies, rhetoric and personality cult and are on downhill!