The AAP has more than decimated its opposition, the Congress has drawn a blank and the BJP has been left stunned by the magnitude of its defeat (Feb.11). At the end of the day, politics has a lot to do with perception. Arvind Kejriwal was viewed as someone who is not corrupt and with his mind and heart in the right place. He is someone who has had the courage and the conviction to apologise for his mistakes, not once but many times. If Mr. Kejriwal succeeds in delivering good governance to Delhi, the possibilities are endless and they might help him explore new political ground.
Irfan Shamim,
New Delhi
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A new era in Indian politics has begun and it shows that values have not faded away from the minds of Indians. Mr. Kejriwal’s self-confidence and boldness to face allegations are remarkable. He was mentally prepared to do battle against the giants in Indian politics and he won.
Anjo S.J.,
Thiruvananthapuram
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The Editorial and “Cartoonscape” (Feb.11) succinctly summed up the sweep by the AAP. Mr. Modi and Mr. Amit Shah must be left wondering how the simple broom became the Qutub Minar!
Sharath Ahuja,
Bengaluru
As a resident of Odisha and as an outsider, it was a great experience to see first-hand the way the AAP went about its campaign. The way the party reached out to the people was the main reason behind its huge success. People do not have the time to watch television or listen to the radio, and what appeals in such a situation is to look for roadside hoardings that they see while stuck in traffic, shopping or just walking down the road. It is this medium that the AAP understood. The party has also been able to touch the youth.
S. Mishra,
Ghaziabad
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It was the 49 days of AAP rule that showed the people that democracy really means a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Sixty years of Congress rule and eight months of Modi governance have convinced people that these parties garner their votes in order to protect corporate interests. What we witnessed in Delhi is the wave of common people against the political parties that govern for the elite. It is the manifestation of real democracy. The nation needs such waves to recapture the true meaning of democracy.
Sukumaran C.V.,
Palakkad
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I recall the AAP volunteers knocking on my door and politely briefing me about their plans, handing over their manifesto and explaining the situation in Delhi, all in fluent English and with amazing insight. If there is one thing that stands out for the AAP, it is its simplicity. There was nothing superficial whether it was during the campaigning process, in issuing advertisements, funding methods or reaching out to the people. Also, how can one forget the party’s simple and effective symbol of the jhaadoo ? The AAP’s win is another simple lesson that elections are not just about pomp and show, loudspeakers and vanity, excessive spending and unaccounted money.
Kshipra Pal,
New Delhi
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The issues relating to money power in electoral politics (“Paisa, power and politics,” Feb.11) and the fact that the aam aadmi can bring about electoral change need to be pursued through a debate. The Delhi win is an affirmation of the people’s intolerance of the wide gap between preaching and practice by the political leadership. Till 2013, elections in India were either won or lost on the basis of money power and/or slogans which were forgotten post-election. In this context, the 2014 general election and the 2015 Delhi State election stand out in their relevance as a vote for change and a vote for honest politics. The political leadership must cooperate with statutory bodies such as the Election Commission to bring about better order in the use of resources mobilised by parties.
M.G. Warrier,
Thiruvananthapuram
