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Freebies, subsidies and a recent ban on foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail have economists and entrepreneurs looking at the Aam Aadmi Party with caution. Captain G R Gopinath, the founder of Air Deccan who recently joined AAP, speaks to Veenu Sandhu about his party's economic policies, the infighting within and the need to focus on Delhi rather than go all out to contest the 2014 Lok Sabha elections
What made you join the Aam Aadmi Party which has, from the onset, made it clear that while it is pro-poor and anti-corruption, it is also anti-big business?
The Anna Hazare movement had a clear anti-corruption focus. Its aim was not to attack a particular government or get it replaced, because successive governments have also been corrupt. The political system has become rotten and though we largely had free and fair elections, democracy was subverted. Corruption has percolated into every aspect of government and society, tearing it apart. Anna wanted to bring in systemic changes through a strong Jan Lokpal Bill, independent Central Bureau of Investigation and other electoral reforms. The educated youth and middle-class were so disillusioned with politics that they were not coming out to vote. The Anna movement struck a responsive chord with the people. I was also drawn and joined the movement and took part in Bangalore. I went around addressing people along with the former Lokayukta, Santosh Hegde.
AAP was born out of the Anna movement. Anna gave hope to millions that they can be agents of change. Arvind Kejriwal provided a platform for political action to convert that aspiration. AAP transformed Indian politics. It has shown that a few courageous, tenacious and honest people can win elections without money, muscle power and caste backing. It is a watershed moment in Indian history after Independence. So I thought I must support these committed people and joined AAP as I admired them.
What role do you see for yourself in the party?
I am here to give my time and help build the party and its young members in Karnataka. I have contested elections in the past. I am an entrepreneur, have spent ten years farming after I left the Army and I understand the challenges and opportunities and odds that one has to face and overcome when you start from scratch. I felt I must offer my time to inspire the young.
AAP's policies, particularly those regarding power, water and now FDI, are not considered favourable for a vibrant economy.
The day I joined the party, I wrote an article saying that while we need a corruption-free India, we also want an economically strong India. No one wants a 'corruption-free poor India'. I am not against big business. I'm against 'crony capitalism' which controls critical resources and, in turn, controls political parties. We have to get rid of that. At the same time, we need to make the economic ecosystem vibrant and dynamic so that it creates equal opportunities for thousands of Tatas, Ambanis and Narayana Murthys. We have to create competition for large business houses. Ensure privatisation, but also ensure there is no cartelisation. By banning FDI, we in AAP are playing into the hands of the big Indian corporations which always had a nexus with politicians. This is what the industry has been lobbying for. A ban on FDI in retail, which will keep out foreign competition, will allow local oligopolies to enjoy a monopoly. FDI is not a threat to corner shops or small bakeries. No Udupi or Moti Mahal can be shaken by a McDonald's. In Italy, No Pizza Hut has succeeded in displacing roadside eateries.
Besides, by banning FDI after allowing it, what is the message we are sending out to investors: that there is no stability and continuity in policies in India? That you cannot invest here because every new government reverses the policies of the earlier government to appease the vote banks?
AAP must get the best minds to work on our economic policies and fiscal, environmental, defence and foreign affairs. Get people like Ramachandra Guha, Amartya Sen, Meghnad Desai, Azim Premji, Madhav Gadgil and Chetan Bhagat.
Like you, other professional and socially-conscious citizens have entered politics through AAP. How do members like you coordinate to form a united entity to strengthen the party and its policies?
At the moment, where is the time for the AAP core group to call people to Delhi and hear out our thoughts on various issues? They are all busy preparing for the Lok Sabha elections. There's a crisis every day in Delhi. All of us in AAP should first focus on the task at hand in Delhi rather than spreading ourselves thin. My suggestion is: consolidate yourself first; do not shoot from the hip or throw punches all around. We should not fritter away the goodwill that the people have offered us. There's no need to rush with knee-jerk policies. If FDI is not good for Delhi, then the fear is if AAP comes to power, it will ban FDI across India.
AAP seems to be getting pulled in various directions. There are many dissenting voices, even from within.
Dissenting voices are good. They reflect the mood of a large section of people. They must be encouraged. Take my example. While I am part of AAP, I will also not hold back my comments. That will be a disservice to the country and AAP. We are already witness to ugly politics in Delhi AAP. So AAP must re-think and recalibrate its approach to fighting elections on a national scale in a hurry. It will be impossible to get the right candidates and transmute the values of the party down the line. In a new party, even if you contest 20 seats and get 10 in Parliament, it is enough to keep the ruling party on its toes, given the immense goodwill AAP enjoys. Rome was not built in a day.
You had fought as an independent candidate in 2009. Would you want to contest the 2014 general elections on an AAP ticket?
I wouldn't even want to think about that now. I will cross the bridge when I come to it. I feel AAP should not be contesting everywhere; it will dissipate its energy. it must focus on Delhi and get it right.
