One-sided victory of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi on Tuesday not only gave oxygen to its hibernated party activists in Jharkhand, but also a boost to regional parties that have been feeling low post lok Sabha and Assembly polls.
Almost all the regional parties in the State in one voice congratulated AAP for the show while at the same time also expressed new confidence to hold the continuing BJP juggernaut. “We want to express our wishes to Arvind Kejriwal for the thumping victory in Delhi despite all the odds. It is the victory of the people and democracy where there is no scope for arrogance and dictatorial style of politics. More than anything else it is the defeat of autocracy,” said JMM leader and former Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
Spring in the feet has been felt as the BJP had during the recently concluded Assembly polls sought votes to form similar party Governments both at the Centre and the State to remove hurdles in the way of development. “The BJP encashed upon this and succeed in convincing people that regional parties are obstacle and uniform governments can do wonders. Voters of Delhi has shown the way and sought positive votes,” said JMM spokesperson Suprio Bhattacharya.
JVM, which is currently facing ire of the BJP in the State, was the most furious in its comment. “The BJP has gone mad after winning lok Sabha polls. They are behaving as if their wave would not come down ever. AAP’s win in Delhi where the BJP has been reduced to single digit should be an eye opener for the party. Sooner they realise this, better it would be for them,” said Pradeep Yadav. The party has been at receiving end losing handsome number of its leaders to the BJP before the polls and also after this.
The growing stature of the BJP has been perceived as death sentence for the regional parties that have been playing significant role in Jharkhand politics. The outfits have been often dubbed as anti-development and obstructionists which played significant role in the BJP victory. The party for the first time bagged 37 seats in Jharkhand and formed a Government with full majority any pre-poll alliance got.
Though, BJP’s alliance partner spoke cautiously. “AJSU congratulates AAP for the unbelievable victory it got in Delhi. It is a happy situation for the democratic system like ours,” said AJSU leader Deosharan Bhagat, reacting to the poll results.
The win at the same time is likely to rejuvenate AAP’s political base in the State a bit in the days to come. Handful of its supporters celebrated the victory at Albert Ekka Chawk, poured colour on each other and distributed sweets.