Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday (December 17) did something that has never perhaps been tried before in Indian democracy. With a decimated Congress extending ‘unconditional’ support to the new party to form the government in Delhi, AAP has decided to hold jan sabhas across the city-state and will take a final decision based on replies sent through letters, centralised SMSes, a yes or no on social networking sites (AAP’s official Facebook page and its website).

While many have ridiculed the step saying every question on governance cannot be answered after awaiting replies from the electorate, and BJP and Congress supporters have attacked the new party, it is also being seen as a step that brings democracy to people’s doorsteps. Referendum, this section says, is not only practicable but also advisable, for a common complaint among most people in the six decades since independence has been the fact that there is little feedback politicians, elected representatives and governments take from people unless an election is round the corner.

So, is AAP right in going to the people for their opinion on forming a government in Delhi with Congress support?