The rise of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Indian politics was stunning. It upstaged both the ruling Congress and its arch rival BJP in Delhi’s local elections just months after its formation. The elections were local and Delhi does not even enjoy the status of a state (province).

Yet, its success kindled hope among Indians. Finally, the much-awaited third option has arrived.

Just as in Pakistan, Tehreek-i-Insaf had become an emblem of hope for the desperate voters stuck between ‘the devil and the deep sea’, namely Pakistan People’s Party and Muslim League Nawaz.

Hope turned into hype in India as the euphoria of the campaign for general elections hit the streets and TV screens weeks after AAP’s first victory.

The AAP supporters were enthusiastic, motivated and sincerely believed in the party’s ‘ideology’ that ending corruption is all that India needs and that this dream will only come true when the ‘sadiq and amin’ candidates will be elected by the people. This, not a tad bit different from the workers and supporters of PTI, who also think that raising the moral baseline for politicians is the solution to all of this country’s ailments.

Can you: Spot the difference?

I compared the two parties last January in an article published in this space, when AAP was into around the 20th day of its rule of the Dehli area. Its performance, even though a minority government, was making headlines every day. Going one step further up on its high moral ladder, the party took a ‘principled stand’ when its proposed anti-corruption bill was blocked by others. It then resigned from the government after remaining in power for just 49 days.