The Gullibility of Voters and Freebies
The voters in Punjab were deceived by freebies offered by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Their gullibility led them to support the party, even though they were unprepared to face a serious economic crisis. Despite their willingness to wait another four years, they were hoping that the current ministry would be sent away. However, a Congress government would not be any better. The voter base gets the government they deserve, and this includes the AAP government that was recently elected.
The delay in the AAP movement could be attributed to the anna (rice) movement, which was significant in shaping the political landscape of the region. It is fascinating to wonder why it took so long for the AAP's magic of honesty to be on a decline. There is suspicion that supporters of a 'Congress Mukt Bharat' (a Congress-free India) might also be influencing the voter base.
Negative Vote Against Congress
The election of Kejriwal in Punjab can be seen as a negative vote against the Congress party, which imploded due to its wrong decisions by its leadership. It was more of a protest vote against Congress than a positive vote for AAP.
Misgivings and Sentiments
There are doubts about the victory of AAP in Punjab. Many people believe that it was more of a negative vote against the other contenders rather than a positive vote in favor of AAP. It was more of a reaction to the failures of the previous governments. Additionally, the electorate in Punjab seems to have voted on sentiments rather than a rational analysis, unlike the electorate in other parts of the country.
Why AAP Won in Punjab
Various reasons contributed to the victory of AAP in Punjab:
Hope and Disenchantment
AAP was on the right side of the politics of hope in a state that has known disenchantment in recent years. The governance crisis in Punjab is reflected in its unsustainable political economy of agriculture, massive unemployment, high rates of external migration, and poor public finances. The state has fallen behind its competitors in key economic metrics.
AAP offered welfare packages by showcasing its Delhi model of health and educational achievements. It promised improved public service delivery by portraying itself as a clean party in a polity marked by cronyism and corruption. This gave a sense of a break from the past. Additionally, AAP tapped into the sub-regional anxieties of a state where other regional forces had been tested and seen to have failed.
Regional Considerations
Bihari migrant workers and their relatives in Punjab might have also influenced the electoral outcome. Many Bihari migrants live in Delhi and have relatives working in Punjab, which means they are benefitting from both locations. The desire for additional benefits for their friends and relatives in Punjab could have been one of the reasons for AAP's win in the state.
Future Implications
The victory of AAP in Punjab will have significant implications. It will position AAP as a more serious contender on the national stage, primarily as the opposition. Kejriwal and the AAP government will have to contend with the competing interests of Punjab and Delhi. Kejriwal can no longer blame Punjab for the pollution levels in the capital every winter, and the AAP will have to be more responsible, given the national security imperatives associated with ruling a border state.
However, voters in Punjab will wait closely to see whether AAP can bring about positive change in the state. The immediate future will be one of patience and watchful waiting for the AAP to deliver on its promises.