When the popular will is repeatedly subverted, all issues in an election must pale before the necessity of exorcising the spirit of absolutism afflicting a democracy. This thought should determine the preference of Delhiites when they vote, on February 5, to elect their new Assembly.  Neither welfarism nor corruption nor governance nor ideology should matter to them.

The most recent examples of the subversion of the popular will were the advertisements two of the Delhi government’s departments issued, declaring that the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana and the Sanjeevani Yojana did not exist, cautioning people against registering for the two schemes. The registration process was kickstarted after the Aam Aadmi Party, continuously in power since 2015, announced it would pay R1000 a month to women above 18 years, and that the amount would be doubled to R2100 in case it won the people’s mandate again. The second scheme promises to defray the hospital expenses of senior citizens.