Governance: Its a serious business

Governance involves policy formulation and its implementation. Policies have to be sound, based on established principles and implemented in a transparent and honest manner. Getting positive publicity for serious governance can be a part of clever politics blended with good governance. Publicity without governance is gimmickry.

The new government in Delhi formed by the Aam Admi Party has a historic opportunity to respond to confidence which a section of the voters have reposed in it. Voters are ruthless in making their choices. That is the inherent strength of the democracy. They vote in a government and can turn their anger towards the same if it fails to perform. The AAP government has so far confused substantive governance with style of governance. It may be entitled to its unconventional style of governance. The unconventional style is not a substitute for substantive governance.

There are two challenges before Delhi. There is an unprivileged Delhi which does not possess even basic amenities. There is a Delhi which aspires to be a global city. The Government of Delhi has to respond to both these challenges. Publicity with regard to the style of governance without any substantive governance is simply gimmickry. Responsible governance has a long lasting impact. Gimmickry is always short lived. Gimmickry does not leave its footprint behind. Excessive gimmickry becomes an object of ridicule.Continued gimmickry without substance invites public ridicule and anger.

The AAP government is now becoming a victim of its own style. The sooner it realizes this, it would have an opportunity to correct the error into which it is falling.