Our Political Desk
Arvind Kejriwal’s attempt to reclaim political relevance has faced a significant setback following the disappointing performance of his party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), in Haryana. The former Delhi Chief Minister, whose political ambitions were high despite ongoing legal battles in the Delhi Excise Policy scam, finds himself on shaky ground.
This political miscalculation in his native Haryana, coupled with his struggle to regain momentum, suggests that Kejriwal’s dream of a political resurgence may be slipping away.
Kejriwal’s vision of expanding AAP’s influence beyond Delhi has faced severe blows, not only in Haryana but also in Jammu and Kashmir. While he did claim a minor victory in J&K by securing a lone seat, the performance in Haryana was abysmal. The dismal results in these states contrast starkly with his earlier aspirations of positioning AAP as a formidable national force capable of challenging the BJP-led NDA.
Despite AAP’s setbacks, Kejriwal’s rhetoric remained defiant. After securing bail in the Delhi Excise Policy scam, Kejriwal vowed to take his fight to the people’s court, subtly casting doubt on the Indian judicial system. His conditional bail from the Supreme Court, which restricts him from entering the state secretariat or performing his duties as Delhi’s Chief Minister, has only added to his political woes. The judiciary’s stern conditions have left him no choice but to step down temporarily from his chief ministerial responsibilities.
Kejriwal’s decision to nominate Aatish, his close associate, to take over as the Chief Minister in his stead, rather than following the precedent set by political leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav, who positioned family members in leadership roles, reflects a strategic choice. However, this move has done little to quell the growing perception that Kejriwal’s political journey has veered off course. His rise as an anti-corruption crusader has now been overshadowed by allegations of corruption and accusations of fostering alliances with controversial overseas entities.
AAP’s political strategies also suffered a severe blow from its supposed ally, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), led by the Congress. Despite being part of the same opposition bloc, the Congress rejected Kejriwal’s overtures for a pre-poll alliance in Haryana. This refusal left AAP isolated in the electoral battlefield, contributing significantly to its meager vote share of just 1.5% in the state.
On the other hand, the Congress may also be regretting its decision, as despite securing a higher percentage of the vote share than the BJP in Haryana (40 against 39), it failed to translate that advantage into a significant number of seats. Had the Congress accommodated AAP in the alliance, the results might have been different today, with the scales potentially tilting in its favour as projected by the strategically manipulated exit polls.
The recent Haryana elections were a major test for Kejriwal’s political strategy, which hinged on Congress’s inability to counteract the BJP’s stronghold in the state. Despite expectations that the Congress might capitalize on anti-incumbency sentiments after the farmer protests and the controversial Agnipath scheme, the BJP, led by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, defied all odds. The ruling party secured 48 out of 90 seats, reinforcing its dominance in Haryana and leaving the Congress and AAP trailing far behind.
This outcome has put Kejriwal’s political standing in a precarious position. The Congress’s cold shoulder towards AAP in Haryana not only diminished his party’s chances but also underscored the growing rift within the opposition alliance. As the Congress succeeded on its own, AAP was left grappling with the consequences of its over-reliance on alliance politics and misreading the electoral pulse of the region.
With AAP’s failure in Haryana, Kejriwal’s broader political ambitions have come under serious scrutiny. The forthcoming elections in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and potentially Delhi, present a fresh challenge for the embattled leader. The possibility of facing similar electoral humiliation in these states is a daunting prospect for Kejriwal, whose strategy now seems mired in uncertainty.
Kejriwal’s earlier confidence in a Congress victory in Haryana as a means to halt the BJP’s winning streak has been severely undercut by the ground reality. His anticipation that AAP would secure a few seats to potentially support Congress in case of a shortfall now appears overly optimistic. The situation has left him politically vulnerable and questioning whether pushing for Delhi elections alongside Maharashtra and Jharkhand might be a strategic misstep.
Kejriwal’s initial promise of clean governance and a fresh political approach has now been overshadowed by controversies and allegations of corruption. His perceived connections with anti-India elements have also damaged his credibility on a national scale. Political analysts argue that Aatish, his successor, might actually benefit from this debacle as her role may extend beyond just a temporary placeholder, given the reduced pressure on her leadership due to AAP’s current predicament.
The humiliating results in Haryana, combined with the lack of support from allies within the INDIA bloc, have not only isolated Kejriwal but have also raised questions about his future moves in the political arena. With no immediate sign of a strategic revival, Kejriwal’s gamble has indeed fallen flat, and the road ahead seems fraught with challenges.
As Kejriwal grapples with these setbacks, his next steps will be closely watched by both his supporters and detractors. The upcoming state elections could either mark a turning point or further deepen his political crisis. With the BJP solidifying its grip and the Congress making independent gains, Kejriwal’s strategy of positioning AAP as a national alternative seems increasingly tenuous. For now, the former anti-corruption crusader stands at a crossroads, with his political legacy hanging in the balance.
