1) Proportional representation. Hidden in the manifesto, this is perhaps the biggest change it is suggesting to the Indian political system. It says, "The existing First-Past-the-Post system should be supplemented with Proportional Representation, to improve the representativeness of the electoral system."
2) Mob rule? Their plan for decentralising power to Gram Sabhas (village councils) or Mohalla Sabha (neighbourhood councils in urban areas) includes making provision for "marginalised communities" within these sabhas and having a "social justice ombudsman". Yet, with ideas such as making the police accountable to these sabhas, many will wonder about their implications on law and order and if they could lead to majoritarian mob rule.
3) Media regulation. The Aam Aadmi Party takes its complaints about the media to its manifesto. It promises to regulate cross-media ownership and "explore methods of enforcing public accountability and regulation" of the media. It says, "The growth of media industry has been impressive but its excessive focus on maximisation of profits and a lack of credible regulation has led to serious imbalances like 'paid news' and the creation of big media oligopolies."
4) Job-intensive growth, not "crony capitalism". The manifesto makes a lot of noises about entrepreneurship and the government not running businesses and ensuring economic growth, but industry captains might worry over the core of its economic agenda. "Aam Aadmi Party believes in economic development that is equitable and sustainable," it says. "AAP is against the current policies of crony capitalism which have brought the country to its knees, and we will take all steps to eliminate crony capitalism. As a country, we should focus on achieving growth and expansion of the economy which can create millions of jobs as well as generate resources to fund the social obligations of the government. Job creation shall be the primary objective of the economic policies of AAP, and to this end we will promote honest businesses and entrepreneurs."
5) Kashmir. While the AAP seeks to end the controversy about its position on Kashmir by asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is an "integral part of India", it seems to support demilitarisation, reviewing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and giving autonomy to Kashmir – the first two of which are openly opposed by, among others, the Indian Army. "Tn addition to short-term use of security forces, AAP believes in a long-term approach of decentralisation and devolution of power, which would give people of Kashmir the ability to make decisions for their own development," it says.
6) Messing with other political parties. The AAP wants to democratise other political parties, notwithstanding questions about its own internal democracy raised by recent dissidents. The manifesto reads, "Internal functioning of political parties to be regulated to ensure that they follow basic democratic procedures, follow transparency norms under RTI and get their accounts scrutinised by CAG approved auditors."
7) Speedy justice for Muslims. In what is sure to produce disapproving noises from Hindutva supporters, the AAP manifesto's section on Muslims promises them speedy justice. "We will ensure that the practice of police harassment and filing false cases against Muslim youth is put to an end," it says. "Police officials found guilty of harassment will be prosecuted. Judicial reforms to ensure that cases are decided within six months." Under special anti-terrorism laws and how they are implemented, such speedy justice is impossible, but the manifesto is silent on the special laws.
8) Reforming reservations. The AAP supports caste-based reservations but in a promise unlikely to go down well with the elites among the non-upper castes, it says, "The benefits of reservations should accrue to those who need it the most, from these marginalised groups. Therefore, those who have already availed the benefits of reservation should be placed at the end of the queue. Tn this manner the benefits of reservations would go to those who are the most needy."
9) No promise against Section 377. The Aam Aadmi Party has repeatedly said it is against Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalises gay sex. Yet it does not say so in the manifesto. Equal rights activist Harrish Iyer said in a Facebook post that he had been assured it was an oversight and the manifesto would be updated.
10) Women's commando force no more. Before the Delhi elections that brought them to power, the AAP had promised a commando force to protect women. The national manifesto's section on gender justice does away with that idea.
11) Reservations for Dalit Muslims and Christians. Hindutva supporters are also unlikely to be happy about AAP's promise to extend Scheduled Caste reservations to Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians. "Today reservation policies are religion-based and therefore, Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians do not fall under the SC category," it says. "AAP believes that reservation should be religion-neutral, and based on actual disadvantage."
12) Election Commission. While the Election Commission remains largely controversy-free, the AAP seeks to revive the debate on the manner in which its officials are appointed. "Election Commissioners should be appointed by a multi-member constitutional committee rather than the government."
13) Government advertisements. It seems the AAP is suggesting the government would pay for equal advertising for all political parties, ending the monopoloy of the party in power over advertising its achievements. "Political parties to be provided equitable access to information and media space," it says. "Distortions of the media such as paid news, unlimited media advertisement and misuse of public money for advertising the ruling party to be regulated."
14) Alcohol. Their policy on decentralisation remains a matter of debate. The manifesto promises that Gram Sabhas or Mohalla Sabha (neighbourhood councils in urban areas) would "have the right to decide if a liquor shop can be opened in their village/mohalla. They would also have the authority to shut down a liquor shop in the village/mohalla. Any Gram Sabha (or Mohalla Sabha) taking such a decision would have a minimum quorum of 50 percent women."
2) Mob rule? Their plan for decentralising power to Gram Sabhas (village councils) or Mohalla Sabha (neighbourhood councils in urban areas) includes making provision for "marginalised communities" within these sabhas and having a "social justice ombudsman". Yet, with ideas such as making the police accountable to these sabhas, many will wonder about their implications on law and order and if they could lead to majoritarian mob rule.
3) Media regulation. The Aam Aadmi Party takes its complaints about the media to its manifesto. It promises to regulate cross-media ownership and "explore methods of enforcing public accountability and regulation" of the media. It says, "The growth of media industry has been impressive but its excessive focus on maximisation of profits and a lack of credible regulation has led to serious imbalances like 'paid news' and the creation of big media oligopolies."
4) Job-intensive growth, not "crony capitalism". The manifesto makes a lot of noises about entrepreneurship and the government not running businesses and ensuring economic growth, but industry captains might worry over the core of its economic agenda. "Aam Aadmi Party believes in economic development that is equitable and sustainable," it says. "AAP is against the current policies of crony capitalism which have brought the country to its knees, and we will take all steps to eliminate crony capitalism. As a country, we should focus on achieving growth and expansion of the economy which can create millions of jobs as well as generate resources to fund the social obligations of the government. Job creation shall be the primary objective of the economic policies of AAP, and to this end we will promote honest businesses and entrepreneurs."
5) Kashmir. While the AAP seeks to end the controversy about its position on Kashmir by asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is an "integral part of India", it seems to support demilitarisation, reviewing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and giving autonomy to Kashmir – the first two of which are openly opposed by, among others, the Indian Army. "Tn addition to short-term use of security forces, AAP believes in a long-term approach of decentralisation and devolution of power, which would give people of Kashmir the ability to make decisions for their own development," it says.
6) Messing with other political parties. The AAP wants to democratise other political parties, notwithstanding questions about its own internal democracy raised by recent dissidents. The manifesto reads, "Internal functioning of political parties to be regulated to ensure that they follow basic democratic procedures, follow transparency norms under RTI and get their accounts scrutinised by CAG approved auditors."
7) Speedy justice for Muslims. In what is sure to produce disapproving noises from Hindutva supporters, the AAP manifesto's section on Muslims promises them speedy justice. "We will ensure that the practice of police harassment and filing false cases against Muslim youth is put to an end," it says. "Police officials found guilty of harassment will be prosecuted. Judicial reforms to ensure that cases are decided within six months." Under special anti-terrorism laws and how they are implemented, such speedy justice is impossible, but the manifesto is silent on the special laws.
8) Reforming reservations. The AAP supports caste-based reservations but in a promise unlikely to go down well with the elites among the non-upper castes, it says, "The benefits of reservations should accrue to those who need it the most, from these marginalised groups. Therefore, those who have already availed the benefits of reservation should be placed at the end of the queue. Tn this manner the benefits of reservations would go to those who are the most needy."
9) No promise against Section 377. The Aam Aadmi Party has repeatedly said it is against Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalises gay sex. Yet it does not say so in the manifesto. Equal rights activist Harrish Iyer said in a Facebook post that he had been assured it was an oversight and the manifesto would be updated.
10) Women's commando force no more. Before the Delhi elections that brought them to power, the AAP had promised a commando force to protect women. The national manifesto's section on gender justice does away with that idea.
11) Reservations for Dalit Muslims and Christians. Hindutva supporters are also unlikely to be happy about AAP's promise to extend Scheduled Caste reservations to Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians. "Today reservation policies are religion-based and therefore, Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians do not fall under the SC category," it says. "AAP believes that reservation should be religion-neutral, and based on actual disadvantage."
12) Election Commission. While the Election Commission remains largely controversy-free, the AAP seeks to revive the debate on the manner in which its officials are appointed. "Election Commissioners should be appointed by a multi-member constitutional committee rather than the government."
13) Government advertisements. It seems the AAP is suggesting the government would pay for equal advertising for all political parties, ending the monopoloy of the party in power over advertising its achievements. "Political parties to be provided equitable access to information and media space," it says. "Distortions of the media such as paid news, unlimited media advertisement and misuse of public money for advertising the ruling party to be regulated."
14) Alcohol. Their policy on decentralisation remains a matter of debate. The manifesto promises that Gram Sabhas or Mohalla Sabha (neighbourhood councils in urban areas) would "have the right to decide if a liquor shop can be opened in their village/mohalla. They would also have the authority to shut down a liquor shop in the village/mohalla. Any Gram Sabha (or Mohalla Sabha) taking such a decision would have a minimum quorum of 50 percent women."
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