For the first time in its half-state history, Delhi has elected a government devoid of the two major national parties, that too with more than just an absolute majority (67 seats). Quite unsurprisingly, the Aam Aadmi Party has bested its only real electoral nemesis - the BJP, 'sweeping' nearly all of Delhi with its incorruptible broom.
Despite what some quarters may believe, an AAP victory can only mean good news. Here's why:
1. Delhiites finally get a government they deserve
Much confusion had prevailed over the national capital ever since the AAP's 49-day debacle. Delhi finally gets a stable government that promises to be held accountable (this time around) and will (hopefully) see out the five-year term. We deserved it.
2. A non-Cong/BJP government - good for Delhi, good for democracy
Well, not all non-Cong/BJP governments have succeeded in delivering good governance to their states (SP in UP, TMC in West Bengal), but Arvind Kejriwal's party looks like a more rejuvenated, formidable version of January 2014 itself, with most of the ingredients needed to govern Delhi. Also, it's great for democracy.
3.Three seats short of a full house
Who likes to play tambola? AAP does for sure.
The newbie party continues to outdo itself, sometimes to the disbelief of its own leaders. The Mufflerman and his trusted aide and psephologist Yogendra Yadav had expected to land anywhere between 46-51 seats, but alas, the Harry Potters of Delhi have more than doubled their tally from the last 2013 election; with 33 out every 35 seats going to the AAP! Easily outdoes Amitbhai's heroics of 2014 when he delivered UP to the BJP.
4. Kejriwal has 5 years to govern and nowhere to run
The AAP's manifesto was, to say the least, more refreshing than the Congress' and the BJP's vision document. The magnitude of their victory represents the trust reposed in them by the electorate. Now, Kejriwal and his team must work steadfastly to translate the umpteen election promises into reality. He has five years to show for his work and nowhere to run.
You can't run, you can't hide and you can't escape Delhi's love.
5. Modi's first real defeat in 14 years
Modi is the one name you get to hear in almost all elections nowadays, whether he's contesting or not. Every election his party partakes in becomes a referendum on his personality; if he wins, the cult gets solidified. If he loses - well most people thought he was invincible; that's the way it has been for him since 2001 when he became Gujarat Chief Minister. Never one to taste defeat, Modi has been given a bitter pill to swallow by Delhi's CM-in-waiting. No better place to halt the Modi rath than the very capital where he resides.
Let's hope he behaves statesmanlike and comes through on his promise of cooperation in Delhi's development.
6.The volunteer > karyakarta
This election also marks a very significant victory. That of the animated volunteer over the indefatigable karyakarta/swamsewak (which also means volunteer). The volunteer, at a disadvantage financially, graciously accepted the headstart of a few months and began to work tirelessly. The karyakarta thought he had the winds and waves with him, but without a firm mast, his ship gave up.
7. The beginning of the end of vote bank politics
Don't cast your vote. Vote your caste.
Sorry, not this time.
I believe this election was a harbinger of change in the way electioneering was carried out. For the first time, a party successfully reached out to and canvassed support from all major sections, classes of society across caste and religious lines. This was only possible through a neutral and positive agenda that catered to all discriminated against none.
8. Thumbs down for communal politics
Communal politics simply doesn't resonate with young India anymore. While Modi swept the general election on his promise of 'Sabka saath, sabka vikas', the idea hasn't been received as expected by his ideological cohorts. The Delhi election season played out against the backdrop of religious tensions, imprudent statements by loony members of the ruling party, and an intractable air of vitriol, all of which allowed the AAP to extract maximum political dividends.
9. The election that brought some sense into the voting class
Delhi is impatient as it is pragmatic. Nowhere else is it cool to be a Modi supporter at the national level, while voting Kejriwal to power in Delhi with a near full house.
Delhi separates the 'bhakts' from the brains. Delhi forgives but doesn't forget.
As far as voting patterns are concerned, BJP has lost trust in all the 57 assembly constituencies that it won just nine months ago, some of which (like Harsh Vardhan/Bedi's Krishna Nagar) were considered impregnable. BJP's monumental debacle has come at the hands of an informed voting class that deserves credit for its intelligence.
10. Allows Congress to rebuild and BJP to return their development agenda
The only success Modi has had in this election is his dream of a Congress-mukt Bharat inching closer to realization. To deracinate the Grand Old Party from the capital is no mean feat; a complete wipeout is insuperable. Whether they can rebuild in time to save what is left of their sinking ship is a question only the Gandhis can answer.
The BJP must've been dealt a hard blow with this defeat; but they had it coming. Their electoral successes in other states turned into complacency which literally got to their head. The cadre-centric formula works everywhere else but not in Delhi. Delhi deserves better.
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