It appears that being a secular party alone is not enough to win a wide range of support.
AMANZIMTOTI, SOUTH AFRICA: This is with reference to your editorial “The world’s biggest election” (April 8). It appears that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is going to win and get to the driving seat. However, one should not forget the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is a manifestation of frustration of the common Indian with the ruling dispensation. Although, the AAP may not get much support due to its lack of organisational base, except in the national capital, it is significant to keep in mind that a lot of intellectuals are joining the party in the hope that this party will one day bring about systemic changes in the governance of India.
If nothing else, the AAP’s rise will give people a chance to go for a third option if they so wish. The Congress party has not been very effective in the last few years and corruption in the country has been on the rise. It appears that being a secular party alone is not enough to win a wide range of support. Just imagine, India is a country with a Sikh prime minister and a Muslim foreign minister in a Hindu majority country. There are hardly any other countries, which can match the level of say that minority communities have on governance issues.
Sharif Lone
Published in The Express Tribune, April 9th, 2014.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
