The Aam Aadmi Party’s decision to seek a referendum on government formation (Dec. 19) — and the overwhelming response it has got — is another experiment that needs to be hailed; it is food for thought for psephologists. With its clear vision, the party is emerging strong, its source of strength being drawn from the aam aadmi and by empowering them transparently.
Subramanian V.,
Chidambaram
Mr. Kejriwal’s decision is a disappointment. His understanding of democracy does not seem to be as clear as it should be. He should spare Delhi his idea of political romanticism and quickly get down to the task of government formation.
Sonal Sindhu,
New Delhi
No coalition government, please! There must be a re-election, which is bound to fetch the AAP a clear majority. This is sure to bag the fence-sitters and those who didn’t vote.
Sunil Suresh,
Mangalore
In case the AAP still does not form the government and goes in for a re-election, there is every great possibility that people will lose faith in the party. If it does form a government, it can run for at least six months and usher in a few changes based on its manifesto. Knowing this, there is no reason why the AAP should have gone in for a referendum. Time is money.
Monica Bansal,
New Delhi
One shudders to think of what might happen if the AAP is in power. Will it seek people’s opinion in the same manner on every little issue that may crop up each day? A number of parties that began in a well-organised and well-managed way, disappeared with the same speed at which they appeared. The Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party of Acharya Kripalani, the Tillers and Toilers Party, the Praja Socialist Party, the Socialist Party of R.M. Lohia, Rajaji’s Swatantra Party, J.P.’s Janata Party and V.P. Singh’s National Front are examples of parties being led by men of greater eminence than Mr. Kejriwal but which vanished. If the AAP is to survive a re-election and nurse ambitions of entering Parliament, it must adopt meaningful norms in words and deeds and avoid gimmicks.
Arulur N. Balasubramanian,
Chennai
Is the AAP Arvind Kejriwal and Arvind Kejriwal the AAP? The party won 28 seats. What about the other 27 members? Will they follow suit and support Mr. Kejriwal in his agenda and ideology in the long run? The question is pertinent in the context of power politics and the era of coalitions in the country.
Chandrashekhar Bisht,
Panchkula
