Unlike most commentators I wholly endorse India Against Corruption activists in politics. Given the brazenness of corrupt politicians and their obvious reluctance to do anything to cut their own source of funds as evidenced in the pending Lokpal bill in spite of great professions to their commitment to bring in the bill, the only way out is to work from within. Where I disagree is their idea of fighting elections all over India.
Let us face it, most of India condone corruption at least at high places especially if done by their caste/regional leaders etc. Also creating an organization pan India will take a lot of time and resources. Generating resources will lead to Aam Aadmi Party getting compromised besides spreading out too thin. The way forward in my humble view is to act like a pressure group. Let the party concentrate on few urban pockets where the voters have move on from issues of basic survival to causes like corruption, dignified life, responsive government etc. If the party can fight and win- lets say for argument sake all the seats in Delhi/Bangalore/ places with high cosmopolitan/young urban voter that feels connected with India shining story. We are looking at about 50 seats in Loksabha.
With that kind of strength they might end up being in top 3 parties in Loksabha seat wise. If they win even Then do a Kanshiram - support to ruling party when needed in return for guaranty to pass key legislation. Lokpal too is a too big a body being envisaged by them. Start small and then work on expanding scope once the effectiveness is measured and fine tuned. Have an independent auditor/investigator for members of parliament and secretary level upwards officers of IAS/IPS and allied services. If the top is strengthened the lower rungs will eventually improve. Also have a mechanism that any elected member of parliament will have cases against them handled by a special court directly working under the Supreme Court of India and the cases must be disposed off within an year under day to day hearing and the lean Lokpal owning the investigations. This will make the criminal ticket seekers pause in their quest atleast a bit.
The key to building complicated systems is to build them incrementally and test and refine often. The same approach should be utilized by AAP.
Let us face it, most of India condone corruption at least at high places especially if done by their caste/regional leaders etc. Also creating an organization pan India will take a lot of time and resources. Generating resources will lead to Aam Aadmi Party getting compromised besides spreading out too thin. The way forward in my humble view is to act like a pressure group. Let the party concentrate on few urban pockets where the voters have move on from issues of basic survival to causes like corruption, dignified life, responsive government etc. If the party can fight and win- lets say for argument sake all the seats in Delhi/Bangalore/ places with high cosmopolitan/young urban voter that feels connected with India shining story. We are looking at about 50 seats in Loksabha.
With that kind of strength they might end up being in top 3 parties in Loksabha seat wise. If they win even Then do a Kanshiram - support to ruling party when needed in return for guaranty to pass key legislation. Lokpal too is a too big a body being envisaged by them. Start small and then work on expanding scope once the effectiveness is measured and fine tuned. Have an independent auditor/investigator for members of parliament and secretary level upwards officers of IAS/IPS and allied services. If the top is strengthened the lower rungs will eventually improve. Also have a mechanism that any elected member of parliament will have cases against them handled by a special court directly working under the Supreme Court of India and the cases must be disposed off within an year under day to day hearing and the lean Lokpal owning the investigations. This will make the criminal ticket seekers pause in their quest atleast a bit.
The key to building complicated systems is to build them incrementally and test and refine often. The same approach should be utilized by AAP.
