A large number of Indians living across the Gulf region are rejoicing over Aam Aadmi Party's landslide win in Delhi assembly elections, describing it as a "victory of hope", which will mark a new beginning of clean politics in India.
"The AAP's victory gives a sense of hope to the NRIs, not just in the UAE but all over the world, that politics is not a bad word any more and that it is accessible to ordinary people," said N Janardhan, a UAE-based Indian political analyst, author on Gulf affairs and honorary fellow of the University of Exeter, the UK.
He said that the Delhi poll result shows that "money, muscle and manipulation are not the only ingredients of politics; that corruption can be fought against and curtailed; and that caste, class and communal identity are less meaningful today than at any other time in Indian politics."
"Together, they mean greater political accountability, better administrative efficiency and robust development -- factors that NRIs have experienced in the countries they work and live in, and have always hoped that it could be replicated in India too," Janardhan said.
He said that AAP's success should rekindle hope that the herculean task of political change, which seemed almost impossible till about a year ago, is indeed possible.
Khawaja M Hasan, who is an IITan and an Environment Policy and Strategy professional, said that the results had made us realise that the space for conventional politics is shrinking in India.
"Politicians must take notice that people have given such an overwhelming mandate to a merely 2-year-old party. We have a soft coner for AAP because we believe it can bring in the changes we have been looking for.
"As an IITian, I have much sympathy and support for Arvind Kejriwal and AAP," he said, adding that the clear mandate is the result of connecting with the general population.
"More importantly, AAP follows a fair policy and do not indulge in caste and regilious politics. This is why they became a popular choice for all," he said.
"NRIs in the Gulf who were disenchanted with Indian politics were nervous about the time they have to relocate to India. With AAP's victory there is hope now," said Mithilesh Kumar, a senior executive working with a property developer here.
Doha-based teacher and homemaker Firdaus Hakim said, "I just hope he (Kejriwal) proves himself this time around and that people remain patient with him. He is not a conventional politician and is basically an activist who has taken it upon himself to cleanse the system," Hakim said.
Media executive Yasar Khan said, "people of Delhi have done their bit, now one hopes AAP will live up to the trust of the people.
