The BJP’s strategy to nominate Kiran Bedi as the Chief Ministerial candidate has backfired as the Aam Aadmi Party has registered a thumping victory in Delhi election. AAP has managed to stop the Modi juggernaut by winning 67 seats in Delhi as BJP came a distant second by winning only 3 seats. Voters were unhappy with the BJP governments stand on issues like religious conversions, attack on churches and also some controversial comments made by some of its leaders.
Thus the Modi wave has been overshadowed by the AAP’s Tsunami wave. It’s a wake-up call for the BJP that it will have to really pull up its socks and can’t take voters mandate lightly. Moreover, election can’t be won only on the basis of few individual leaders like Modi and Amit Shah. The BJP had to pay a heavy price for running an anti-AAP campaign instead of focussing on its own agenda. Many leaders from the saffron party were unhappy with the elevation of Kiran Bedi as CM candidate. This is the biggest victory margin for any political party in Delhi since the first Assembly elections took place in 1993.
The AAP’s victory is significant as it will lead to the formation of the first majority government in Delhi by a party other than the BJP and the Congress. It is also the first time a party has won so many seats in the assembly. When AV spoke to Mumbaikars to know about their opinion pertaining to AAP’s victory many of them said that the party will now have to work harder and avoid committing the mistakes made by it earlier.
Rehaan Haider working in a CA firm said, “AAP has scripted a historic win that the entire opposition can board an autorickshaw and attend the legislative assembly session.”
Maulana Ehsaan Haider Jawadi, Islamic scholar and writer said, “Just like the name of a person makes an impact in the same way flower blooms and withers. This time the broom has sweeped the rival parties.”
Daniel D’Souza an engineer said, “It’s good that AAP has emerged victorious. At least they do a better job as compared to other parties.”
Salim Ali Sayyed said, “It’s right time for AAP to establish themselves in other states also. Infact I am waiting to join the party.”
Mohammed Feroz said, “People always worship the rising sun. The lotus has started withering which has been cleaned by the broom.”
Sagar Rane, Online marketing executive, Bhandup said, “AAP’s victory in Delhi has its pros and cons. About the pros, AAP managed to lower the prices of petrol and other commodities during their reign as the leading party in the capital. The to-be-sworn CM Arvind Kejriwal has some serious qualifications but the cons start here itself. The party is relatively new and might not be able to handle the pressure as compared to its previous reign.”
Anand Singh Rajawat, college professor from Virar (W) said, “I personally feel that people are fed up with the traditional political system in India. People want a change in system and that’s the reason AAP emerged victorious.”
Shaukat Kapasi Chief insurance agent LIC said, “Arvind Kejriwal is a honest man. I too will like to join his party to eliminate corruption from India.”
Brenden Dcosta, from Mira Road (E) said, “The victory of AAP can be termed as people’s victory. It’s also a warning to the BJP as the manner in which it has lost the poll indicates the end of Modi’s regime.”
Rashmi Dubey from Vasai (W) said, “Delhi residents have offered one more opportunity to AAP. So this time the party will have to prove itself and Kejriwal should not repeat the mistakes committed by him during his last tenure.”
Rajkumar Ashappa a football coach said, “AAPsolute majority.”
Aziz Shaikh, Automobile engineering student said, “AAP’s victory should change the Indian politics forever. It is the rise of a new star in Delhi.”
Steffi Cardoz, secretary, Goregaon (West) said, “AAP is a different party. People will soon recognise it as a strong political party and it will expand its foothold across the country.”
Navdeep Modi, event organiser, Santacruz (W) said, “I think in a way it is an unexpected result. The country still considers secularism as an important factor. No victory can be taken for granted and the sweep of 2014 needs to be replicated proportionately in every state election.”
Raj Sapkal said, “After watching Delhi’s poll results, I remember a quote of Chetan Bhagat,”A population that votes on promised freebies rather than a wealth creating economy is destined to stay poor.”
The BJP has, however, said the results in Delhi were not a referendum on Modi. “It’s not a referendum on the BJP government. It will be a collective responsibility of the party…and winning will just be the first step for AAP. They had made many promises. AAP kaam karke dikhaye ab (AAP, now show us what you can do),” said BJP leader Shazia Ilmi.
