Powerful plays

The performance of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi surprised most watchers. Winning in an election is an important but small part of the overall journey of power. The ability to wield power and then govern does not come only from taking the throne. It is a journey of understanding the cocktail of governance structures, powerful elites and their vested interests and finally once actualized the ruthlessness to wield it to achieve national good.

Obama got elected with the slogan of change. If one were to come to think of it there is nothing he has changed than creating a greater welfare stage (i.e. Obamacare). US Congress is has been is stalemate for the longest time ever and Obama has not been able to break the logjam. Internationally, there has been not one path breaking move except retraction from the twin wars. So when history looks back he will be just another president but not who changed the direction of the nation. Back home, Manmohan Singh got the throne but does not wield any power nor has the ability to do so.

Look at Mamata Banerjee who won West Bengal elections after 3 decades of opposing communist rule. All she learnt was being anti-establishment, little constructive time understanding the power structures and building relationships with the elites. Even in government she is always seems to act like leader of the opposition. She did not understand what governing will mean when after 3 decades of communist rule – it is not a war on the past but building a future and bridging the chasm.

AAP will need to understand what governing is and how to wield power. One can clearly understand their hesitation in taking the step. It is easy to lay out strictures for the government of the day. I am in no way defending the governance deficit and inaction but in the end a state’s outcomes are not born out ‘complete and ideal freedom’ but the push resulting from needs and its constraining factors.

Most of us will feel we do not have good policing system in the country but that does not change things as the power structure in place constrains it. Same is the feeling for being able to shop in one retail outlet where all daily necessities are available and are cheaper than current options but FDI in retail has taken a long time coming. We may all believe that current level of corruption is corroding the system but Lokpal (or any other form) will not come until the power configuration changes where the hands are forced – the need to maintain minimum necessary power (seats in parliament) for the Congress to maintain a semblance of relevance.

The ability of true leadership is to negotiate the constraints put by the system. There will be compromises and promises broken but states are not given firm direction by idealists but by realists and great leader is one who is a realist led by ideals. Idealists just help maintain society conscience and serve as a check to power. AAP’s long-term political relevance will be defined by their ability to evolve from current idealism into realists.