Finally, the curtain is down. The people of Indian capital- Delhi- have voted for the performance and have out rightly rejected the politics of hatred and communalism. The massive verdict in favor of " terrorist" or "naxalite" (as BJP leaders call Kejriwal) is more noticeable as Arvind Kejriwal had to fight BJP top leaders and RSS network, besides Congress leaders. And the "muffller man' did it all alone and sought mandate on performance of his five-year rule.
There is no denying that saffron party, ruling at center, had put up all blockades to stop AAP govt to perform right from the day one through Lt. Governor and Delhi police. All of us know, Delhi police works under union home ministry. Ultimately, AAP govt had to knock at Supreme Court's door and in July 2018,top court ruled in favor of AAP govt. It ruled that Lt. Governor is bound by the advice of the chief minister and his cabinet. Earlier, Delhi High Court had ruled that as an union territory, all power of Delhi govt rested with union govt. Overturning the Delhi HC, Supreme Court ruled that Delhi assembly had all the legislative powers and LG is bound to go by the advice and aid of cabinet.
As such, it was only after top court ruling prevented central govt. interference, AAP govt could ensure delivery of promised services. Voters of India are matured enough and they know who are their well-wishers and who are villain of the peace. BJP had all through the last five years and till the voting day, proved itself as villain not as hero. It worked against it.
Now Delhi elections over, the battle ground shifts to Punjab, another state that has better potential for AAP after Delhi. It won more seats than Akali-BJP alliance together. Nearly 24%, a little less than Akali votes, voted for AAP. The Congress, which won more than 70 out of 117 seats had polled 38.64 % votes. As such, I see AAP a bigger role in Punjab assembly elections due in 2022. Punjab has over 31 percent Dalit votes and they are not party bound. Dalits in Punjab, have been, traditionally, voting, by and large, for Congress but voted in block for Janata party in 1977 Lok Sabha elections and later in assembly elections.
A study had found that Dalits in Punjab are not party bound and always see better alternative. In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, AAP won 4 seats and it was the only state where AAP did make it presence felt. And then in 2017 assembly elections, its performance was even better though in May 2019 Lok Sabha elections , AAP performance was not as good.
Going by the results and voting pattern of Delhi assembly elections, Arvind Kejriwal and his party has better prospectus in Punjab where Dalits and middle class together can upset the Congress and Akali-BJP's applecart. 24X7 free power and potable water supply plus better education and health services are big issues in Punjab. Both Akalis and Congress govts have failed to deliver the desired goods. So wait and watch.
(Chander Sharma)