Arvind Kejriwal’s political downfall was inevitable. While his supporters clung to blind loyalty, ignoring mounting corruption evidence, Delhi’s electorate chose change. The Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) electoral defeat in the state assembly polls was no surprise—it was a verdict on years of deception, misgovernance, and arrogance.
The writing was on the wall long before the elections, as repeatedly highlighted in this column. From the multi-crore excise policy scam to the extravagant “Sheesh Mahal”—Kejriwal’s lavish official residence—voters saw a stark contrast between his claims of unassailable honesty (Khattar Imandaar) and the reality of unchecked corruption. AAP’s leadership, including Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia, became synonymous with financial irregularities, fuelling widespread public resentment.
Kejriwal’s decision to project himself as the party’s chief ministerial face while out on conditional bail only reinforced public disillusionment. The Supreme Court had explicitly barred him from accessing the state secretariat, holding meetings, or making policy decisions. Did he truly believe he could manipulate the people by installing a puppet CM while pulling the strings from behind the scenes? Delhi’s voters weren’t fooled this time.
AAP’s governance was built on handouts—free power, bus rides, and promises of financial aid to various communities. But as reality set in, many of these promises were either unfulfilled or exposed as fiscally unsustainable. Voters realized they were being baited with short-term incentives while the administration crumbled under corruption and mismanagement.
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What further alienated Kejriwal’s core voter base was his strategic alliances with political figures he once vilified. From embracing convicted corruption-tainted leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav to forming alliances with the Congress, a party he once promised to prosecute, Kejriwal’s hypocrisy became glaring. His national ambitions—aspiring to replace Narendra Modi—were nothing short of delusional, considering his humiliating defeat against Modi in Varanasi in 2014.
Even Kejriwal’s former mentor, social activist Anna Hazare, openly condemned AAP’s Excise Policy, stating that the party drowned itself in corruption. Kejriwal, who once led anti-corruption protests against the Congress-led UPA government, ignored Hazare’s warnings about political greed. His descent into the very corruption he once opposed sealed his fate.
Beyond domestic political missteps, Kejriwal’s alleged associations with pro-Khalistani elements and foreign funders like George Soros raised serious concerns. His party’s Punjab victory in 2022 was marred by allegations of external interference, further damaging his credibility. By aligning with forces viewed as inimical to India’s interests, he alienated nationalist voters and weakened AAP’s broader appeal.
Kejriwal’s troubles are far from over. His electoral setback will likely have a cascading effect, especially in Punjab, where elections are due in 2027. With the BJP perpetually in election mode and strategizing years in advance, AAP faces an existential crisis. Meanwhile, Kejriwal remains entangled in legal battles, including money laundering charges and misappropriation of funds in constructing his palatial residence. The Auditor General’s findings further establish financial discrepancies, adding to his woes.
Kejriwal’s arrogance ultimately mirrored the downfall of other over-ambitious regional leaders. A parallel can be drawn with Kalvakuntla Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), who, after securing Telangana’s statehood, rebranded his party to BRS with grand national aspirations—only to be decisively rejected. Similarly, Kejriwal’s misplaced confidence in AAP’s invincibility backfired spectacularly.
Delhi’s electorate has spoken. The myth of Kejriwal’s clean politics has been shattered, and the era of his unchecked dominance is over. Whether AAP can recover from this debacle remains uncertain, but one thing is clear—Kejriwal’s political dream has come crashing down.
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