You’re what you say you’re

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You’re what you say you’re

Monday, 27 January 2020 | Ajoy Kumar

You’re what you say you’re

In the midst of all the din created by parties that has earned India the dubious title of a divided nation, Delhi stands as a calm outlier. AAP has significantly changed perceptions

I was reading a piece on the popular online platform, Medium. In the said article, I came across an interesting tidbit about an American football coach, Bill Parcells. He has been listed in the “Pro Football Hall of Fame” and is one of the most successful football coaches in the US. While he has won many championships and brought great success to his team, most fans remember him for his famous quote rather than something he had done on the field: “You are what your record says you are.” This is a lovely take on the classic adage, “You are what you say you are.” Both phrases are rooted in real-life experiences. There can be no greater example of it than the prevailing political scenario in New Delhi.

Elections in the national capital are due in February. With the media’s focus on the said polls, it is likely that one may have had a chance to hear about or must have come across the different political campaigns currently at play by various parties in the city. One of the favourite catch phrases for one of the political opponents of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been “Pakistan.” It’s very hard to escape any mention about it. Whenever any panellist speaks against the AAP on a television debate or otherwise, it is almost inevitable that reference to “Pakistan” is made. This is in stark comparison to the catch phrase of the AAP, which reads: Kaam Pe Vote.

Why is there such a difference in the approach of both parties? To understand this, the phrase, “You are what you say you are” may be of help. When the AAP exploded into the Indian political landscape, it came up with a message that was entirely different from the prevailing political narratives at that time. There was no talk about division along religious or caste lines. Instead, the message of hope that was offered then was that the AAP is in politics to change the narrative and that of the politicians. Communalism or crony capitalism was not on the agenda. Instead, the focus was on “development” and to provide cheaper power and ample water supply to the people of Delhi.

At that time, this mandate was only based on “hope” because back in 2015, the AAP had no prior record in Indian politics. Fast forward it to 2019 and the story is quite different now. Just how different will be dealt in detail later in this piece. The reason why the AAP chose to speak about “development” and aimed to provide basic amenities to the people is simple. Its focus on these issues isn’t one of “obsession” or “identity.” On the contrary, AAP’s belief is that most Delhiites, and for that matter most Indians, do not care as much about what makes them different but what can take them and their children forward. It’s an aspirational view of politics that speaks to not only what it can be about but also how a commitment to this basic principle can help the citizens move forward.

On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made “Pakistan” its main focus area. Party spokespersons speak little or do not even talk about development. But if one were to ask them about Pakistan, they can write a thesis about our neighbour. This is why BJP leaders have little or no idea about how to improve the state of education or to provide cheap electricity. The BJP’s agenda is to focus on what divides us. Differences abound among Indians; we have different religions, eating habits, climates, spices and different colours. But just because we have differences doesn’t mean that we must be divided.

Our greatest asset lies in “diversity” and Delhi is a microcosm of it where citizens from all across the country have come together to make it their home. I believe that as Indians, we are in unison about at least one thing: We want our children to see a better India than what we have seen until now. Citizens want affordable electricity, a corruption-free Government, good roads and an empowering education system. These formed the foundation of the AAP’s 2019 slogan, Kaam Pe Vote.

While 2015 may have been an election about hope, in 2020, the AAP has asked for votes only on the basis of the work done by it. This is a marked departure from the way its political opponents, who are obsessed with identities, have campaigned. The AAP is obsessed with “work.” This is where Bill Parcells’ quote comes into picture: “You are what your record says you are.”

Since 2015, the AAP has reduced teacher vacancies by over 70 per cent. The party’s focus, which is to improve Delhi’s education system, has been recognised by the world. The fact that 1.4 lakh children in the national capital have been shifted from “private” to “Government” schools is a testimony to the fact that people have recognised and appreciated the work done by it. In the healthcare sector, too, the party has already set up 450 mohalla clinics till December 2019 and has served around two crore people in the city.

The power sector, too, has undergone a transformative change. Delhi is the only State where both domestic and commercial tariffs have reduced and where 24x7 electricity is a reality. Under previous Governments, an increase in tariffs was all but regular. To receive 24x7 electricity was a treasured rarity. Delhi is going the way most Indians want India to go. Its economy is growing and the AAP Government has managed a surplus by reducing leakages and corruption at every level.

I can go on and on speaking about the efforts and results of the AAP in Delhi but this article is about something more than this. It’s about how in 2010, the term, “India” was on everyone’s lips. Great things were expected of us and the entire world looked upon the country to provide them “intellectual” and “human capital.”

We were on the cover of international magazines as an emblem of hope. Now, we are on their covers as an example of a divided nation. A mixture of corruption, incompetence, entitlement from certain political parties and politics of hatred, division and communalism on the part of certain political parties has brought us to this unfortunate moment.

However, all is not lost. Amidst all this din, the fact is that Delhi stands as a calm outlier that has done actual work for the people. It has done so by leaving the task of talking to be done by those who are more adept at it. And when the AAP does speak, it’s about kaam (work) not “Pakistan.” The party believes in the phrase, “You are what you say.” Does anybody not believe us? Have a look at our records and they will speak for themselves.

(The writer is a former IPS officer, a former MP and currently a member of the AAP)

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