Kejriwal’s ascension to power, most historic moment

M. Gautham Machaiah

I have always wondered why the people of India have not risen in revolution against corrupt and inept politicians, like their counterparts in Libya, Syria, Egypt or other parts of the world. Today, I have found an answer in Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who successfully led a peaceful people’s movement to take on the might of the established political class.

Arvind Kejriwal’s ascension as the Chief Minister of Delhi is one of the most historic moments of free India as it not only demonstrates the power of the common man to overthrow unpopular regimes, but also sounds a warning bell to politicians who have for long trampled over the citizens with impunity.

Kejriwal has come as a beacon to all of us cynical Indians who have remained content sermonising from the sidelines. The AAP’s success is sure to act as a catalyst to many more such movements across the country and break the monopoly of politicians over governance. Finally, the balance of power appears to be shifting to the hands of the common man, as it always should have been.

Doomsday prophets have already begun writing epitaphs of Kejriwal and the AAP, let them be. True, the ideals of the Kejriwal team appear to be Utopian and almost unimplementable, but let us at least appreciate their sincerity.

It is in the interest of every Indian to ensure that this experiment at Delhi succeeds, for if it does, politicians across the country will be scurrying for cover.  No longer can they take the citizens for granted.

That, will be the beginning of the elusive ‘Rama Rajya’ which our politicians have been promising us for decades.