The AAP story, which was developing in to a success story has now turned into a sad example of a wonderful experiment, as the party is moving towards a split Whoever thought when Kejriwal took oath in Ram Lila grounds last month that a party, which won a landslide victory in the Assembly elections, could face such a crisis within weeks! If the voters had expected the AAP to settle down and concentrate on governance they are in for a shock as the party chief as well senior leaders are indulging in power struggle.

There is no doubt that Kejriwal is the charismatic leader who attracted the voters rather than the senior leaders like Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, who no doubt had their own contribution to the growth of the party. The problem is that power struggle began very soon which is going out of control. More importantly, the breakaway group led by these two senior leaders does not have the same capacity to attract voters. They neither have the oratory nor the political skills to connect with the people. Therefore, it is a question mark whether they will succeed even if they float a new outfit.

Where did the party go wrong? First of all, Kejriwal has begun to build a coterie culture, which put off the other senior leaders like Yadav and Bhushan. Even before the polls some like Shajia Ilmi had left the party in protest. Some like Medha Patkar and Damania have resigned, while others like Yadav, Bhushan and Admiral Ramdoss have been sidelined. There had been criticism about the style of functioning of Kejriwal.

Secondly, the AAP chief had begun to build a personality cult around him trying to capture the total control of the party. Insiders claim that he became a larger than life figure in the AAP much before the present crisis. It is quite easy to be lost in one’s own glory and perhaps this is what happened. This naturally upset the other senior leaders who would not play a second fiddle to Kejriwal. The support of masses made him superior to everyone else and it is a pity that an activist who did all the hard work to reach this stage is throwing everything away in such a fashion deluded by a personality cult.

Thirdly, a party, which created a record after its big win, should be ready to face the challenge of indiscipline and factionalism but the AAP was not ready. Factionalism and groupism and indiscipline are part of any growing party but its leaders neither had the capacity nor the experience to tackle such things. What is happening in the AAP is that the revolt began too soon. Moreover Bhushan and Yadav are in a hurry to capture the party while Kejriwal has no intention of handing over the reins to them.

Fourthly, it was obvious that Kejriwal encouraged by the adulation and huge electoral victory is in no mood to decentralize and share power. The Yadavs and Bhushans insist on a one-man one-post principle and once Kejriwal became the chief minister, they thought that he should concentrate on governance. It is no secret that even earlier, Shanti Bhushan had conveyed a blunt message that Kejrwial should make way for Yadav to become the convener.

There was a time when AAP had only one problem, that of leaders like Prashant Bhushan making controversial statements on Kashmir and others were left to justify or reject them. At that time, Kejriwal with his excellent tact saved the day. Today, Arvind Kejriwal himself is doing a Prashant Bhushan.

While it may be a question mark whether the AAP would be strong enough after a possible split, it is for Kejrwial to rebuild the party along with providing good governance. This can happen only if he learns lessons and delegate authority and not keep everything in his hands. While some might argue that Kejriwal is the party and his image may not be dented just because he is building a personality cult on the ground that the other leaders like Jayalalithaa, Mamata Banerjee and Mayawati have not suffered politically despite their authoritarian style of functioning, Kejriwal has come to power on the promise of leading a party with difference. Unless he follows a democratic route and follows a transparent regime, neither he nor his party will give an image of a party with a difference. Stifling dissent and throwing out leaders is not the answer. A growing party should not give an impression that its cadres and leaders are leaving protesting against the style of functioning of its leader. On the contrary such charismatic leaders should make efforts to attract more workers and supporters.

Despite all these all is not lost. Kejriwal has another four and a half years to prove his mettle. Time and age are on his side. Where he can shine is to plug administrative loopholes and check corruption in Delhi administration. Delhi is the showpiece of the country and anything he does well will go a long way. (IPA Service)