State elections 2013 thread: Delhi, MP, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Mizoram

[bulbul]

Guys plz post if you recieved any letters from AAP

[someone]

:haha:

[bulbul]

^

[someone]

I think post election statements and reactions make it clear that AAP has no real concrete ideas. It is won on the back of frustrations and angst against the major parties.

Actually, they didn't win (BJP got the highest seats) but they still did extremely well because they connected with the common people. Their door to door campaign was very good and should be given credit. But as a whole, the AAP Party is becoming a farce with indecision, false hope and appeasement policies.

[Sachin=GOD]

Why Arvind Kejriwal's 18 demands to Congress and BJP are impractical

NEW DELHI: Their campaign caught popular imagination in a manner that shocked Delhi's political grandees. Their post-poll tactic - asking BJP, Congress to agree to their demands before they form a minority government - has been equally unconventional. But now that Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party is thinking whether or not to rule Delhi, a reality check on their declared philosophy of governance is useful. At a broad level, many policy experts and academics find AAP's governance blueprint too crowded. Sociologist Shiv Vishvanathan says a "sensible party can place 3-4 key issues...not dozens". AAP's manifesto had listed several radical measures and its post poll missive to Congress and BJP contains 18 demands. A senior bureaucrat, with experience in both Delhi and central administration, said such long lists of demands are "evidence of passion perhaps, but not pragmatism". This bureaucrat did not wish to be named. Some social scientists are more sympathetic. Delhi University professor Achin Vanaik says AAP's promises are largely "aspirational...they show up the motive of BJP and Congress". Vanaik also said AAP's governance philosophy was a message for social change. However, he said looked at closely, some demands are impractical. Vishvanathan says AAP is yet to show evidence it "understands process". "You can't just change things...you have to see points of view of various stakeholders". Congress and BJP have both responded adversely to AAP's lists, with leaders of both parties describing the charter as unrealistic. Broken down to specific demands, AAP's governance philosophy also attracts considerable criticism. Regularising Colonies Regularising Delhi's many unauthorised colonies has been a key AAP promise. Former Union minister and BJP leader Arun Shourie, who has written extensively on governance issues, says "this is a policy that will lead to anarchy and chaos". Shourie's argument was echoed by Delhi bureaucrats with experience in dealing with urban problems. They said a stroke-of-a-pen regularisation will not just incentivise future bad behavior on part of developers it will also put enormous pressure on a civic administration that's already stretched. Shourie said if AAP wants to make an effective intervention, it should throw its weight behind low-income housing. Free Water Even more than regularisation of unauthorised colonies, AAP's promise to cut Delhi's power bills by 50% and provide water free of cost has attracted economists' censure. AAP's Praveen Singh says providing 700 litres of water free to every family is basic human rights and that water consumption beyond this can be charged in full. "This is sustainable," Singh says. But most experts disagree. Economist Ajay Shah said AAP's math doesn't work when it comes to water. "Delhi has 11 million (1.10 crore) persons. Assuming 4 persons per family and Rs 5 to produce a kilolitre of water; we would require Rs 94.5 lakh per day or Rs 340 crore for a year. This is the production cost, you cannot wish away. For this to be free, funds will have to be found. Even if corruption is removed, costs will be high. Further, this is not sustainable -- if AAP is successful, corruption will come down and more people will flock to Delhi. The source of revenue will fall every year and the cost of keeping the promise will rise." Sanjay Kumar, fellow at CSDS, was critical, too. "Supplying 700 litres of water per family per day free seems completely impractical," Kumar said. Halving Power Bills On AAP's most publicised promise - halving Delhi's power bills - the party is being asked several questions. Kumar says, "First of all, they will have to prove that the power suppliers are making 100 to 200% profit. But even if they prove corruption in this sector, it's difficult to imagine how they can bring down the tariff by half. These issues catapulted them to limelight, but I think the same promise will lead to chaos in Delhi." There's some sympathy for AAP's demand that power distribution companies be audited. Shourie, Vishvanathan and Shah say in principle this is not a bad idea. But has AAP thought through the implications of this promise, economists and policy mavens ask. Shah says, "While auditing of electricity companies is good stance compared to demand in tariff reduction, is the party willing to support increase in electricity prices if it is found that electricity companies are running at a loss? When you demand an an audit, you are being fair, but when you presume the result of the audit, you lose your moral right." AAP's Manish Sisodia says his party's demands are realistic. He cites a recommendation by a former power regulator in Delhi that tariffs be cut by 23% and also says if corruption is brought down, losses and therefore rates can come down. But this is severely contested. Distribution companies say there is not much scope to cut tariffs. "When 90% of the cost of a discom is power purchase, there is not much that can be done to cut tariffs unless the government subsidises electricity," said a senior executive at a distribution company. "The main issue is the cost of power, which has increased by 300% since 2002. The tariffs have increase only around 70%. This is really a huge burden on discoms. Where is the scope for cutting tariffs ?" he said. "Delhi Electricity Regulatory Authority in its statutory advice to Government of Delhi has admitted that private discoms in the city have a revenue gap of Rs 19,500 crore. The current revenue is not enough to meet costs," he said. The CEO of Tata Power's Delhi distribution arm Pravir Sinha recently told ET that a change of government in Delhi should not make an impact as tariffs are fixed by the regulator, not the government or the distribution companies. "Our rates are no different than other places. There is no black magic that can be done in terms of rates. We procure power from generating companies that are mostly government-owned entities. The cost of power procured depends on cost of fuel," he said. Experts said reducing electricity prices by a large margin was not possible unless government subsidises the tariffs. "The reason being in our system, distribution losses will remain at 7-8% and there is not much scope for a huge reduction in power purchase cost. There is no way tariffs can come down by 50% unless they declare a huge subsidy," said Debashish Mishra, senior director of Deloitte in India. Public Spending Other, less headline-grabbing AAP demands also attract charges of not being thought through. Shah says this of AAP's formula on public spending: "The demand for approvals from mohalla sabhas for releasing payments for public work is again fraught with the same political corruption problems. We should pause and think why persons in charge of mohalla sabhas will not become rent seekers for each approval? The same has played out in our experience of decentralization. Economist Bibek Debroy said AAP's promise of 500 new government schools sound good on paper. "But how will they guarantee quality," he asks. Debroy was also of the view that AAP's approach ignores the question of resource mobilisation. "Where will funds for all their schemes come from?" he wonders. Similar views were echoed by Rajiv Kumar, of Centre for Policy Research. "AAP's promises have little economic rationale," he says.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/why-arvind-kejriwals-18-demands-to-congress-and-bjp-are-impractical/articleshow/27439027.cms?flstry=1

[bulbul]

^ You are on a roll

[Sachin=GOD]

^ You are on a roll

:--D But seriously, the article does raise quite a few valid questions over AAP's impractical promises.

[bulbul]

May be author is a fool,dis-honest,immoral :dontknow:

[Sachin=GOD]

In fact IMO it should be AAP, more than BJP or Cong, that should be asked to explain in detail as to how they would go about implementing the 18 points (and others) raised in the letter and in their manifesto. They should also explain how they would get the funds to provide free water and for Govt. subsidy for lowering electricity prices and how they would make sure that the mohalla sabhas do not become corrupt etc. If they answer these questions satisfactorily (obviously, seeing how out of depth they are regarding these impractical promises, they won't be able to answer the questions) only then should Cong or BJP think of offering them support. Besides, why do BJP/Cong even have to answer the 18 points - they were not part of the BJP or Cong manifesto for Delhi, they were part of the AAP manifesto so they should explain how they would implement their policies (rather, wild fantasies) and they should answer all the questions that experts are now raising about almost all their major promises before they should be allowed to form the Govt. Just give Kejriwal a does of his own medicine and see how he reacts.

[ganeshran]

Why should BJP not be asked to explain how it would go about decreasing electricity prices by 30%. Or is it a given that BJP and Congress are so corrupt that they will lie on their manifesto

[Sachin=GOD]

Why should BJP not be asked to explain how it would go about decreasing electricity prices by 30%. Or is it a given that BJP and Congress are so corrupt that they will lie on their manifesto

BJP has already said that since it does not have a majority it is not going to form the Govt. so why should it be asked to explain its stand when obviously it is not going to be in a position to implement its policies? Right now AAP is being offered support and in such a scenario it will be the only party out of the top 3 to be in a position to implement its policies so how about they first explain in detail how they will go about implementing their impractical policies and how they will find the funds to fulfill their OTT promises. And if they can't answer the questions satisfactorily (which they won't be able to) then they should just shut up and not try to take a high moral position and should stop blaming BJP/Cong for a Hung Assembly.

[ravishingravi]

My fear is that Kejriwal has talked so much already. He has tried to be Imran Khan like Moses giving simplistic solutions to mankind's age old problems. The similarities are uncanny if you go through Imran's manifesto.

[randomGuy]

:cantstop: at The outsider and his 'support'? An email to aap asking for $10 refund likely?:hysterical::winky:

[Sachin=GOD]

:cantstop: at The outsider and his 'support'? An email to aap asking for $10 refund likely?:hysterical::winky:

:rofl:

[Number]

One of my friend donated 5K INR to them in sept-oct, he is not even from Delhi. Now he just curses himself for that. :haha:

[asterix]

One of my friend donated 5K INR to them in sept-oct' date=' he is not even from Delhi. Now he just cruses himself for that. :haha:[/quote'] :cantstop:

[someone]

My fear is that Kejriwal has talked so much already. He has tried to be Imran Khan like Moses giving simplistic solutions to mankind's age old problems. The similarities are uncanny if you go through Imran's manifesto.

AAP team led by Kejriwal don't offer any solutions, but only questions like, One member saying are you anti-Congress? Join Us then. Another saying are you anti-BJP? Join Us? Third saying do you support communal violence bill? Join Us. Another saying Batla House was fake? Join Us then. Another saying Kashmir should be free? Join Us then. Like Raza Khan? Join Us then. Another saying support Naxal? Join Us then. While some members go on the opposite side. And all these then grouped in one banner called common man. You see with these questions, every Indian will find enough reasons to connect with them. And It is a group of all sorts of people with different agenda and inconsistency. It can only be a matter of time before internal conflicts starts happening.

[bulbul]

As a performer, Dr. Kumar Vishwas has encapsulated the Hindi Poetry in a way which has definitely changed the way the younger generation look at Hindi-Poetry. His ‘Koi Deewana Kehta Hai’ and ‘Hotho Par Ganga Ho, Hatho me Tiranga Ho’ Solo concerts have practically changed the definition of Poetic performance

Dr Kumar Vishwas is an Indian Youth Icon, who carries several aspects in his personality. As a celebrated Hindi poet, he is well known across the world. He is credited with reviving Hindi poetry among young generation.

He is the first performing poet of any language across the world, whose poems in his own voice, have been hosted as Caller-back tunes on all major telecom operators of india. Overall, Dr Kumar Vishwas is an iconic blend of a Performing Poet, an Author, a Social Communicator and a Motiva

Today, as a performer, Dr Kumar Vishvas maintains the busiest schedule among Singers, Poets, Stand-up Comedians and Rock performers. He is possibly the only performer around the globe, who performs without any prop (besides mic) or any aide for a stretch of over two hours! Only those who have witnessed the mesmerizing LIVE performance of Dr Kumar Vishvas could feel what it is like to be one among the audiences of this person.

http://www.kumarvishwas.com/bio.html is this true?

[Yoda-esque]

Keep the movement burning: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/keep-the-movement-burning/article5466475.ece

[Crookbond]

Furthermore, I don't understand why they addressed the letter to the BJP. If AAP forms the government then BJP would be the Opposition party in the Delhi Assembly which reserves the right to give issue based support or no support at all. The support from the Congress is enough for AAP to form the government. There is no reason to harangue the BJP. Does the AAP want no Opposition in the Delhi Assembly ? Lastly, the language used in the letter is an affront to civility. Congress has offered unconditional support so it is an issue for them how they handle this. But the BJP should throw that letter into the trash where it belongs.

BJP said (without asking) that they would offer "constructive issue based support". AAP asked them what issues were they ready to support. I don't see why is it bad to ask for more information. Read BJP's letter to "request" AAP to form a government - it is sarcastic to the core. AAP replied in the same language that BJP started.