Letters: Twin tests for AAP

The editorial "More subsidies" (January 2) rightly raises doubts about the correctness of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) beginning its innings with a pair of subsidies to the voters in Delhi. The voters supported the party's promise of clean and efficient administration. The integrity of its members while in power is yet to be tested. Generally, power corrupts steadily but imperceptibly. When the Janata Party came to power in 1977, its ministers took a pledge at Rajghat to provide honest and capable administration. They ensured neither.

As for efficiency, AAP seems to have opted for populism instead of evolving systems that deliver people good service at the same or reduced cost. Whether ensuring leak-free electricity or water supply or checking corruption-breeding measures, AAP will require support from the serving bureaucracy at all levels. Being a former bureaucrat himself, Arvind Kejriwal knows how the babus can put spokes in the wheels of change in a subtle but persistent manner. The dishonest ones are very clever, and behind the facade of compliance they can thwart good moves. Instead of foraying into national politics, AAP should give its undivided attention to the work on hand in Delhi.

Y G Chouksey Pune

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