"Is Janam Mein to Modi Ji Hume Hara Nahin Sakte" This popular statement was made by Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, the Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Former Chief Minister of Delhi. Just before the elections, Mr. Kejriwal publicly resigned from his position as Chief Minister, hoping that the people of Delhi would re-elect AAP in the assembly elections. However, the results of the Delhi Assembly elections turned out to be drastically different from the expectations of the Aam Aadmi Party.
There is no doubt that the people of Delhi were losing interest in the governance of AAP for several reasons, which will be discussed below. However, no one anticipated that the voting would reflect such strong feelings against prominent leaders like Mr. Kejriwal, Mr. Sisodia (the main champion of the school revolution), Mr. Satender Jain, Mr. Somnath Bharti, Mr. Sourabh Bharadwaj (who was considered a strong candidate in Greater Kailash), and other key figures associated with AAP. The fact that these leaders lost their elections indicates that the people of Delhi hold substantial bitterness and anger towards AAP.
A famous quote from the late poet Rahat Indori states, "जो आज साहिबे मसनद हैं कल नहीं होंगे, किराएदार हैं ज़ाती मकान थोड़ी है." This reflects the reality of politics—arrogance in power is a dangerous mix. Many expected that Mr. Kejriwal would be an exception to this trend, but after 12 years in power, including gaining Punjab as a second state, it appears that the entire party has become intoxicated with power. Limiting AAP’s representation to just 22 seats is not merely a political transition; it signifies something much deeper.
Besides arrogance, two other key reasons contributed to AAP's downfall:
1. Liquor Scam: Indian society has long held negative perceptions about alcohol, largely because families have been destroyed due to its misuse. It was shocking when AAP opted to provide one free liquor bottle with every purchase during the challenging times of COVID-19. While the government needed revenue, people did not view this as an acceptable response. The situation worsened as news of the liquor scam surfaced, leading to the arrest of several top leaders, including those who ended up in Tihar Jail, which greatly damaged the party's credibility. Mr. Kejriwal previously stated that his leaders would resign upon being accused of corruption, yet he refused to resign even after facing arrest. Regardless of the court's future decisions on these allegations, the people of Delhi have rendered their verdict. For many, it was unacceptable for someone who campaigned as an anti-corruption figure to be jailed on corruption charges.
2. The Issue of Sheeshmahal: Mr. Kejriwal's initial image as a common man in politics—donning simple shirts and slippers—endured until the news regarding Sheeshmahal emerged. This raised serious concerns among the public regarding the necessity of such an extravagant project and whether corruption was involved in its implementation. The issue tarnished Mr. Kejriwal’s clean image as the 'Aam Aadmi,' and the BJP successfully leveraged this situation as an electoral issue. They claimed that, according to the CAG report, the actual cost of Sheeshmahal was ₹75-80 crore. The BJP repeatedly raised this issue during the elections, further exacerbating the negative perception against Mr. Kejriwal. Many questioned the justification behind renovating a government bungalow at such a high cost, further fueling suspicions of corruption.
Despite this significant defeat, all is not over for AAP and Mr. Kejriwal. By embracing humility, they may still effect change. Notably, the AAP has not been completely dismissed by the electorate; data shows that 4,323,110 people voted for the BJP, while 4,133,898 voted for AAP. There remains a segment of the populace that continues to trust and believe in AAP and Mr. Kejriwal. However, decisive voters opted for the BJP, influenced by the popularity of Prime Minister Modi and the BJP’s promise to continue AAP's welfare schemes if they came to power.
Mr. Kejriwal is not an ordinary politician; he rose from humble beginnings, gaining significant political influence over 12 years while consistently opposing BJP dominance, even securing victories in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and creating history in Punjab by defeating the BJP, Congress, and Akali Dal. While Mr. Kejriwal’s political journey has not been easy, as seen from the struggles of others like Mr. Rahul Gandhi, it is premature to declare his political career over or that AAP cannot continue as a political force.
For AAP to rebuild its identity, it must adopt a clear ideology. In politics, establishing a unique position is crucial, especially when competitors replicate successful ideas. Merely promising free water and electricity is insufficient for long-term success, as other parties have adopted similar platforms. AAP indeed benefited financially vulnerable groups by providing direct benefits, a concept attributed to Mr. Kejriwal. It is now time for AAP to rethink its strategies and remember that resurgence is possible. As a voter in Delhi, my message to Mr. Kejriwal is this: you must return to being a simple and humble Aam Aadmi to regain the magic and win back the hearts of the people. The voters have not entirely rejected you; rather, they may be sending you a message to consider your actions and clarify your purpose in power.