IT is good that the period of uncertainty in Delhi is over and the Aam Aadmi Party has decided to form the government with outside support from its main adversary, the Congress. Public opinion in the state favours the decision. The AAP had no option, as being a mainstream party it cannot sit in the opposition. Of course, everyone is aware that there is a wide gap between winning an election and forming a government. Some of the AAP’s election promises are just not capable of being fulfilled. One example is the proposal to audit private electricity distribution companies and reduce power bills by 50%. Coal and gas prices are on the rise and so slashing power tariff is not possible at the moment. Other such chimerical notions are devolution of power to Mohalla Sabhas, regularization of unauthorized colonies and bringing police, municipal corporations and Delhi Development Authority (DDA) under the state government. That will need constitutional amendments and an okay from the Centre.
It is necessary for the AAP to adopt a pragmatic policy. Policies cannot be hatched through referendums. Accepting Congress support is a measure of the new party’s flexibility. What the previous government had achieved the AAP must not undo. Clean governance is priority number one but without effective governance, it signifies nothing. What is needed is a creative approach. Allowing portability across electricity distribution companies to bring down rates is an example of such thinking. It has to be remembered that Congress support is conditional. A large section of people feel that the Kejriwal government is doomed to failure. The AAP should remain focused on its main targets. Contesting Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat or asking local leaders to build the party infrastructure is a tall order. The emphasis should be on urban centres and ensuring that the party can deliver much of its promises.
