Mixed response for Aam Aadmi Party's dream debut

A day after its dream poll debut in Delhi, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was on Monday variedly praised by some political parties as a force good for the health for democracy and one that could provide a "credible alternative".

But some parties like NCP also took a dig at Arvind Kejriwal's nascent party describing them as "pseudo activists" who are not connected with the ground reality.

Congress stalwart and outgoing Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who was felled at the hustings by Kejriwal, was of the view that AAP just sold "dreams".

BJP ally Shiv Sena sounded a warning that Kejriwal's challenge is for all political parties across the country It is always good for the health of democracy when a new force emerges, BJP Vice-president Smriti Irani said.

CPI(M) said AAP has emerged as a credible alternative to Congress.

Its leader Sitaram Yechury said more than the anger against the policies of Congress what had helped AAP in the elections was they were seen as a possibility that can offer an alternative.

Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar congratulated AAP and said "it reaped the benefit of anti-corruption agitation of Gandhian Anna Hazare." Praising Kejriwal, Shiv Sena said the keys of forming government in Delhi are with Kejriwal.

"A young person like Kejriwal wards off the challenge of Narendra Modi and massive Congress," the Sena said in its party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

But Diskhit feels the AAP sold dreams. She does not know what explains the AAP phenomenon which won it 28 seats to Congress' eight in 70-member Delhi Assembly where BJP emerged as the single largest party with 31 seats but five short of required majority.

Perhaps on second thoughts, the Congress veteran went on to remark, "I think it is just the dreams that they spun." She had seen governance for 15 long years as Chief Minister. "You cannot make dreams. You cannot sell dreams. But they have".

Would the AAP phenomenon last? "No, they might once. But it does not mean it is going to be there for ever. The dream has to be also tested," she said.

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar said weak leadership in Congress had given rise to "pseudo activists" who are not connected with the ground reality, in an apparent dig at emergence of AAP in Delhi Assembly polls.

"We also need to think about the class of people trying to influence and change public opinion through their impractical ideas. The youth has clearly shown its anger in these elections and we need to find why they are angry," he said adding that people want "result-oriented leaders".