The BJP’s emphatic victory in the Delhi Assembly elections has set the stage for a major political shake-up. In his post-election address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear that his newly elected party’s state government would table the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report in the first assembly session and take action against those found guilty of financial misappropriation. His message was unambiguous: accountability would be pursued relentlessly.
With the BJP returning to power in Delhi after 27 years, former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia appear to be in deeper trouble. Both leaders have been under scrutiny for their alleged involvement in the Delhi excise policy scandal. As election results favoured the BJP, reports emerged that the Lieutenant Governor had sealed the state secretariat—likely a pre-emptive move to secure key documents. This development suggests that Kejriwal and Sisodia, who once branded themselves as “Kattar Imandar” (hardcore honest), could face intensified investigations.
Despite multiple probes by central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), sufficient evidence for conviction has remained elusive. However, with a BJP-led government now in charge, a renewed push for legal action against AAP leaders seems inevitable.
The fallout of the excise scam extends beyond Delhi and could have serious implications for Telangana MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha, daughter of former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR). She has been accused of lobbying for southern liquor barons, allegedly influencing policy decisions to benefit certain players in the liquor business. While she was granted bail along with Kejriwal and Sisodia, the investigation agencies have documented her visits to Delhi and her stays in luxury hotels, reinforcing suspicions about her involvement.
Rumours have circulated that KCR had attempted to negotiate a truce with BJP leaders, reportedly offering to merge his party, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), with the BJP in exchange for safeguarding his daughter. Some sources even suggested that KCR sought a cabinet position at the Centre while proposing his son, K. T. Rama Rao (KTR), as the Chief Minister of Telangana as a precondition. However, the BJP leadership, focused on the Delhi, Haryana, and Maharashtra elections, reportedly put these discussions on hold.
KCR’s political ambitions have always revolved around ensuring his son’s rise to power. Even during the COVID-19 crisis, he prioritized the demolition and reconstruction of the Telangana Secretariat based on Vastu considerations, underscoring his long-term vision for his political legacy.
The BJP’s recent electoral successes, particularly in Delhi, Haryana, and Maharashtra, have emboldened the party to take decisive action against its political adversaries. The Centre appears determined to dismantle AAP’s influence in both Delhi and Punjab. If the BJP refuses to entertain KCR’s proposal for a political merger, it is likely that Kavitha, along with other accused individuals, will face renewed scrutiny.
Furthermore, the current Congress-led government in Telangana under Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has adopted a similar strategy to KCR’s, engineering defections from BRS to consolidate its power. However, a recent Telangana High Court ruling against these defections has complicated the political landscape.
The coming months will determine how the BJP maneuvers its negotiations with KCR and BRS. If the BJP prioritizes expanding its influence in Telangana, it might entertain KCR’s proposals under its own terms. However, if it chooses to maintain its hardline stance against corruption, Kavitha could be in serious trouble.
With the BJP’s growing dominance, political analysts are closely watching how these high-stakes backroom negotiations unfold. Will KCR succeed in protecting his political dynasty, or will the BJP stay firm on its commitment to anti-corruption probes? Either way, the political landscape in both Delhi and Telangana is poised for a dramatic shift.
