AAP no longer enjoys a spotless image

It’s a migration one witnessed in May 2014 – a planes, trains and automobiles moment when the AAP volunteers descended on Varanasi from around the country. In Kashi, a former computer academy had been transformed into a hostel and the AAP volunteers slept on the floor under low-hanging ceiling fans. The oldest was an 80-year-old man from Haryana and the youngest was still in his teens – but the display of enthusiasm was uniform. So convinced were the volunteers of Arvind Kejriwal’s victory that a friend, a well known AAP activist from Mumbai, told me in a candid moment that he had reserved his return ticket for May 18 to celebrate the impending victory.

Rallies

It was not to be. But their rallies prior to verdict day remained in one’s memory. If there was one party and its workers who turned the cacophonous din of democracy into a musical note, it was AAP. Waving jhadoos, dancing to music from multiple boom boxes, opinions had soared in the famous square that had become the linchpin of the Kashi battle. I went seeking that same energy and what better venue then Connaught Place.

The wait wasn’t too long. As one drove in, one spotted AAP activists instantly. On traffic crossings around the famous roundabout, a man stood with his hand outstretched holding an Arvind Kejriwal cutout. Later I found out that this was referred to as the “Statue of Liberty” moment, where everyone serves their time. Where there are limited funds, there is a hand raised to render services that most would avoid, like this one – of physical inconvenience.

But this was earlier. On returning from my visit, television channels had exploded with the news of supposed shell companies having allegedly contributed in large sums to the party. The irony that this revelation was made because of an audit conducted by a group of former AAP volunteers (AVAM) was not lost on me. Even all those months ago in my interactions with AAP volunteers in Kashi, discontent was seeping into the spirit of revelry. They told me of the discrimination between volunteers of the north and those from the south and the west – something to do with an issue as small as water being made available to them, and some more serious instances, in areas of responsibility and acknowledgment. The cracks were visible but had not set; the clay was still on the potter’s wheel, it could have been smoothened over. But as AVAM’s explosive allegations indicated, it has not.

If anything, the resentment has grown with popular faces like Shazia Ilmi walking away from the party and disgruntled murmurs emerging from party elders like Shanti Bhushan. If AAP continues to hold on to one advantage in the Delhi elections, it is the fact that the public in general has not yet forgiven the transgressions of the Congress, despite their able candidate for chief minister – Ajay Maken.

Scam

AAP’s defence to the allegations, which range from an alleged funding scam to other considerations like “anarchism”, has been aggressive and vociferous. For a party whose plank has been set at a level from which accusations may be levied – this has been damning. The process of enquiry will determine guilt, but from the perspective of perception, the “differentiator” has been lost. Their defence comes with an escape clause – transparency. Inarguably they have been transparent when it comes to funding, especially in comparison to the Congress and BJP, but this is an inadequate rebuttal. Even if one were to accept their version and absolve them of intentional wrong doing, this incident still emphasises they have been irresponsible in their commitment of living up to the ideal of clean politics. When the perception swings from corruption to a lack of commitment, this is big trouble.

However in light of the Delhi elections, it is not a game-changer. The contest, split predominantly along class lines, should see lower income groups come out in large numbers to vote for AAP. What is also true that during their 49 days in office, everyday corruption saw a dip and even beat cops, who famously don’t come under the state government, were wary of accepting bribes.

Victimhood

The most inconvenienced by corruption remains the common man, the one who must pay an additional charge for every service. AAP made life a little easier for him. The BJP to its disadvantage is increasingly perceived as a party for the wealthy – despite the prime minister’s public reiterations. Furthermore, a certain section of society, specifically minorities, are still not reassured by public utterances and will refrain from strengthening the arms of a government they don’t trust.

The political autowalas of Delhi – some of whom I spent time with – are split in their loyalties; as they stood in a group arguing on the merits and demerits of BJP vs AAP. They laughed at the mention of the Congress. A Muslim auto-driver asked me: “What has Congress done for anyone?”

Among them emerged a consensus and a shared belief in their victimhood, the brunt they have borne for Delhi being anointed the “rape capital”, when other public transport like buses and taxis are the “real” culprits. “When was an auto driver ever accused of rape”, they ask me angrily, “Why do we have to all install GPS systems that don’t work”.

The group I met proudly supported AAP – some even wore the cap – but admitted the vote was split amongst them unlike 2013. They called over a man called Panditji during our conversation and heckled him with, “Who are you voting for?”. The man was hesitant before speaking, “It’s a question of my livelihood so I won’t say who”, he told me testily, “but I will vote for the party that promises development”. “But you have revealed everything by saying that,” I told him. He shrugged, “so be it.” And indeed in these contentious elections, so be it. It’s anyone’s game, funding scams aside.