@AamAadmiParty - now that's what I call a landslide...

So, despite early opinion polls showing that the BJP, who rule at national level, were going to win, the Aam Aadmi Party's focus on the issues that mattered to ordinary voters in Delhi seems to have been overwhelmingly effective. For the first time in the history of the State, a political party gained more than 50% of the vote and with that 67 out of the 70 seats in the Delhi legislature.

There are about twenty million voters in Delhi, and 67% of them took part, so this is no mere protest vote borne on a low turnout but a real shock to the Indian body politic.

The big question is, can a political party which has existed for only two years, led by a former tax inspector, with little experience of actually governing, really reform in the way it claims is necessary. Can they change the way an entire state government, and its bureaucracy function and, if they can, what message does that send out to the rest of India?

There are also some other victims. The Congress Party, still led by Gandhis, was wiped out across the capital, and shows signs of redundancy, whilst the fragmented opposition across the country, much of it regional in its strength, will sense weakness in the Modi administration that will need to be countered. Hopefully, the response that comes will give a nod to the anti-corruption campaign whilst continuing the work of opening up India as a place to do business.

There is a message for political parties elsewhere too. Campaign for real change as though you mean it, and address the issues that really matter to people, and you might bring them with you. Spend your time attacking the insurgent, as the BJP did in Delhi, and as is so often the case here, and you risk losing the enthusiastic support of your core vote. After all, what are you for?

It will be interesting to see how they get on, for heaven knows India has real potential as an economic powerhouse and a political partner for the western democracies if we only work with them and develop a sense of their sensitivities.

@AamAadmiParty - might they be an Indian liberal party?

There was a conference taking place at my hotel, and the restaurant was full for breakfast, and so, when I was asked if I would mind sharing my table with someone else, it would have been churlish to refuse.

And, as you do, we got talking, the young man and I. He asked why I was in Delhi, assuming, not unreasonably, that I was probably in town for business, so I explained that It was merely a jet lag stopover on the way to Mumbai to visit family. He works in Bangalore for a big, international IT firm - I won't name it just in case - but was in town to meet with local campaigners for the Aam Aadmi Party, the newest big thing on the Indian political scene.

Aam Aadmi, which is Hindi for 'common man' sprang from a people's anti-corruption movement three years ago, and calls for action against corruption in politics as well as society at large, devolution of power from the centre and community building. It does sound vaguely familiar, and indeed the party is considered to be centre-left.

The fight against corruption is very much an issue amongst the emerging middle class and, especially, young people, who see it as a way to improve India's prospects. And, given the endemic levels of corruption in Indian politics, only a new political force is likely to have the motivation required to change things.

My young breakfast companion was rather enthusiastic, emphasising that they don't get big corporate donors and that funds are raised predominantly from supporters (still sounding a bit familiar, isn't it?). They call for a radical change in the way India is run, and I was beginning to tick some of those philosophical boxes that you have when you're testing out potential new members of ALDE and the Liberal International.

And so, with my International Relations Committee hat on, I explained a little about international political families, and how forming links with like-minded parties in other democracies might be useful - access to training, new ideas, campaigning techniques, policy making, all of the things that new political movements can struggle with.

It was a lot to think of, I admit, but you should never miss out on an opportunity to spread liberalism or, at the very least, internationalism, so perhaps a message might be conveyed to someone of influence in the party as something to consider.

And, who knows, liberalism might have a genuine champion in India one day...

ALDE Election Congress: it's make your mind up time...

Alright, I've asked all of the questions, gained an understanding of the issues, listened to the speeches, even the ones in French. The dynamic duo of Rehn and Verhofstadt have outlined their vision for Europe - one that works towards peace and liberty, one that creates opportunity for its citizens, one that is democratically accountable. They believe in a reformed Europe, run in a spirit of transparency.

I have been impressed by the grace and good humour displayed by Olli Rehn, and the passion and enthusiasm of Guy Verhofstadt, and believe that the team approach offers the best available alternative in the quest for a more liberal Europe.

And so, with apologies to my Party leader, I'm ignoring the entreaties made to oppose the resolution endorsing the joint Verhofstadt/Rehn ticket, and will be casting my vote in support accordingly.

Tea with the Minister

It was time to meet a real live politician, and so off to the Transport Bhawan to meet the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways. We didn't have long, but there was time to find out what his priorities are.

Curiously, there is a division between road and railways, at least as far as the Indian Government is concerned, and perhaps that might have something to do with the importance of railways in the Indian psyche. The three million employees might be another factor...

Unfortunately, the delegation strayed into talking about trains, and the Minister was, in fairness, happy to talk about them as part of an integrated transport system.

He has an interesting background too, as a former Minister for Environment & Forests and as Minister for Industry & Commerce from 2005 until earlier this year. In the latter role, there are many who saw him as key to India's tough stance at the Doha Round of trade negotiations. As a member of the Lok Sabha, he has represented the same seat for twenty-nine years, excepting a two-year period when his wife appears to have stood in for him.

Taking protest to a different level

Curiously, given my thoughts on quotas in the past, the big issue in India in recent days has been the decision of the Government to guarantee 27% of university places to OBC (Other Backward Castes) students.

This attempt at blatant positive discrimination is entirely consistent with existing policy but the fear now is that, once the various quotas are accounted for, there are insufficient places left for children from India's increasingly large, urban middle class.

So the protests have begun and, for any student union politicians who might be reading this, you ought to realise that you are so far behind in terms of commitment that it might make you wonder why you bother.

To start with, protesting students have produced banners written in their own blood (yes, I did say blood, and I've seen the photographs) and then progressed to hunger strikes. One group have even approached the President to seek permission to be allowed to die! Given that I am opposed to quotas, you might not be surprised to hear that I am broadly supportive of their stance, if not their methods.

If a government is truly committed to improving take up rates for currently disadvantaged groups, they have to give them the means to compete. It must be accepted that for a nation like India, this is more than normally difficult, and it does clash with the country's bascially socialist ethos. But I can't help feeling that the knowledge that my doctor had earned his place because of who his parents were rather than because of his scholastic merit might lead me to seek a second opinion...

Oh yes, and for the benefit of one of my readers, Harley Davidson are looking to start sales of their estimable products in India. Should be interesting...

Party leadership controversy - an update

Meanwhile, back in the swamp, debate over the Party leadership continues, with questions about the succession stirred by maneuvering by senior Party figures following recent disappointing election results.

Following a conference on the west coast, the Party is seen to be beset with disunity and fixated with internal politics, whilst failing to portray itself as a radical, campaigning force on the domestic stage.

Yes, it's the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), whose congress here in Mumbai has turned out to be an absolute shocker, following the conviction of six of their MLAs (Member of the Lok Sabha) in a "cash for questions" sting - we like to think that we keep up with modern political trends here - a botched leadership transition, and a total failure to come up with a policy platform upon which the Congress (I) government can be challenged.

Of course, as they're a fairly appalling bunch of Hindu nationalists, I think that it's hysterically funny but it does put our internal 'problems' into perspective...