Mainstream WeeklyIndian democracy is often praised for its clean record of conducting consistent elections and putting in place a representative government based on the principle of one person, one vote. Ever since India gained sovereign independence in 1947, election campaigns have been a regular affair with various political parties putting forward their candidates, policies and programmes to try and win the popular vote and form governments. With the advent and rapid advancement of internet and social media, political culture in India has certainly received a twist with intense electoral campaign happening on social media platforms whenever elections are approaching.
Recent Political History of Delhi and AAP
India adopts a federal system of government with a number of independent federal units with their own sphere of powers and responsibilities. Delhi has the status of a Union Territory which means that the powers vested in the elected government of Delhi is not at par with other federal units called the states. Most notably, the authority to maintain law and order, and hence, to command a police force which lies under the domain of state governments, is absent from the political-administrative structure of Delhi. Delhi has a legislative assembly of 70 members and any party or coalition with 35 or more members has the right to form the government. The Chief Minister (CM) in Delhi governs with a titular authority known as the Lieutenant Governor or LG. The LG is a nominee of the Union government, which occupies the highest stature in terms of legislative, executive and financial powers in India