By Ruma Dubey

Tomorrow, 28^th Dec’13, a new party for the very first time in Indian history, which is non-BJP and non-Congress will rule Delhi. The meteoric rise of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is a reflection of the mood of the nation – people will not tolerate political parties which are corrupt and currently, Congress faces the maximum ire. The rise of Arvind Kejriwal, his stand on corruption and austerity has come like a breath of fresh air. ‘Traditional politicians’ is a new adjective for the leaders of today and it conveys basically corrupt politicians. And people simply do not want to see and hear any more traditional politicians.

Arvind Kejriwal and AAP have a lot of expectations riding on them; not just from people of Delhi but of the entire nation. Delhi will be like AAP’s audition – only if they do well here, will they be able to win the nation during the Lok Sabha elections – the big picture. So looking at what these six months performance could mean for AAP, it is imperative that AAP performs. The days of its rhetoric’s are over and it’s time for action.

But a look at the manifesto’s of AAP makes one wonder –  will AAP be able to deliver at all? It reads more like a socialist manifesto and there are many in the capital markets who are worried whether AAP would work for the economy. Well, economy is too farfetched at the moment as AAP is only in Delhi but yes, if they win Lok Sabha, then the capitalists might have reason to worry. But for once, the capital market also needs to look at what is good for the people first and then the equities; people have borne the brunt of feeding the economy for too long and it has only widened the gulf between the haves and the have-nots. The rich are getting richer and the poor, poorer.  

Today, Kejriwal has said that he will look into the CNG price hike by Indraprastha and would even look at the possibility of a roll back. This has obviously not gone down too well with corporate as it is sending the message across that under AAP maybe companies might not be able to make money at all. And this is the fine balance which AAP has to maintain – it needs to do good for the people but cannot drive away corporate India. Will someone with this vendetta against all moneyed powers be able to do this tightrope walk?

There is tremendous expectation from AAP. People for the first time in over 50 years, people might actually come to respect politicians if AAP delivers. If a child professes to become a politician when he grows up, people wonder if the upbringing of the child is fine; it is akin to saying he wanted to become something worse than a thief! But maybe if AAP does do as it has promised, manages to remain honest as it portrayed itself to be, maybe being a politician might not be bad anymore; it could actually become a noble profession.  This sounds unreal but so did the victory of AAP; so anything can happen.

For the people of Delhi and for the people of India, one can only hope and pray that AAP does well. Yet, take a look at its manifesto’s and keep fingers crossed. It is very, very Utopian, almost idealistic. Most might never get off the ground but the good part – at least AAP has listed problems of the people – identifying the problem itself is a big deal today!

1:  Jan Lokpal Bill

Well, Kejriwal’s  version did not get passed but at least one version did get passed. So in some construed way, his first manifesto is realized.

2: Swaraj

Devolving power directly to people; decisions about development in any locality to be taken by Mohalla Sabhas; payments for any work (roads, pavement, etc) to be released only once the work is approved by Mohalla Sabhas.

3: Electricity

AAP has promised a reduction of consumers’ electricity expenditure by 50%. This will be done by ordering an audit of discoms, rectifying inflated bills and getting electricity bills checked by independent agencies. Licences would be cancelled of any discoms that refuse the audit .  Discoms to be brought under RTI and their accounts made more transparent. Discome monopolies would be ended and consumers would be allowed to choose between two electricity providers.  Incentives and subsidies to promote solar energy; target of meeting 20% of Delhi’s electricity needs via solar energy in the next ten years. Individuals installing solar panels in their houses would be allowed to sell extra electricity to the grid.

4: Water

AAP is committed to ensuring that all households in Delhi get water in their homes, irrespective of whether they are in slums or unauthorised colonies. Households using up to 700 litres of water (per day) would be given free water.  Transparency would be introduced in the functioning of the Delhi Jal Board. Clamp-down on tanker mafia. AAP opposes the privatisation of the Delhi Jal Board.

5: Sanitation and Waste management

To build 2 lakh community and public toilets in Delhi., connecting all households to the sewage network, irrespective of whether they are in slums or unauthorised colonies. Separation of bio-degradable and non-biodegradable waste at the household level and littering would be heavily fined.  

6: Women’s Security

Citizens’ Security Forces would be formed with a branch in each ward, Citizens’ Security Forces would be formed with a branch in each ward, lighting and security provisions on roads, parks, buses and all public spaces.

7: Education

Government schools to be made as good as private schools. Law would be introduced to regulate high fees and donations in private schools and colleges.

8: Health

Government health care facilities would be improved (and made as good as private hospitals). Will make Delhi hospitals confirm to WHO standard – 5 beds for every 1000.

9: Delhi Villages

Gram Sabhas would be empowered to make decisions regarding Delhi’s villages including extension of Lal Dora. farmers would be provided agricultural subsidies; sports facilities would be improved.  

10: Unauthorised colonies

Regularisation based on rates decided in the notification of March 24, 2008

11: Slums

Flats/plots would be provided on site, or as near as possible to existing location of slums.

12: Inflation and unemployment

AAP would take measures to ensure basic facilities remainwithin reach of the aam aadmi; these would include electricity expense reduction, 700 litres of water made availablefor free, government provision of high quality education and health , regulating fees of private schools and strict action against hoarders .

For increasing employment AAP shall fill all vacant government posts, provide better facilities to industrial areas and provide young entrepreneurs loans at low interest rates.  

13: Traders:  Simplifying VAT structures and opposing FDI in retail Industry.

Contract Labour:  No contractual jobs for work that is required 365 days a year; ensuring implementation of minimum wages 

Unorganised sector: Ensuring social security for unorganised sector workers; regulating wages and working hours of domestics workers; improving working condition of rag-pickers. 

Street Vendors: licenses and fixed locations to be given to street vendors.

14: Transport

Establishing a Unified Transport Authority for a holistic transport policy, commitment to providing high quality public transport.

Making pavements and cycle tracks on all possible roads;  

15: Environment

Proper sewage and effluent treatment to stop Yamuna pollution, protecting Delhi Ridge.

16: Social Justice

This is a long drawn manifesto and shows the social bent of the party.

For a detailed look into the same - https://app.box.com/s/k6zzgdgv0tepbzkfo3bd